Summon Ruto to table evidence on graft, senators tell two Speakers

The anger in the Senate was palpable yesterday as members plotted to fight back President William Ruto’s claims on corruption.  

They registered their disappointment following accusations of turning the Senate into an extortion den, and threatened to invoke Article 125 of the Constitution to call President William Ruto to come to Parliament and explain the allegations.

The Senators accused the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate, Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi, of failing to protect the image of Parliament from President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

During the County Public Accounts Committee meeting, the chairperson, Moses Kajwang, led the agitated members in condemning what they described as a well-choreographed attempt to kill devolution.

“We must also reflect that we have got the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, which governs how unethical conduct is dealt with in Parliament. Because if there are allegations of misconduct on the part of Parliament, it is the Speaker who chairs the relevant committees who should then call for evidence so that we can go through the processes of determining whether members are engaging in unethical conduct,” he said.

“I want to challenge the Speakers of the two Houses because they are the ones who chair the powers and privileges committees...”

According to the Homa Bay Senator, Parliament cannot be tried in a Kangaroo court.

The Senators accused the governors of avoiding accountability, saying they were very prompt during budget making.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang was yesterday expected to meet the Kajwang team, but sent a letter claiming he was unwell. 

Senator Samson Cherargei of Nandi warned Wetangula and Kingi that they risked losing their seats if they did not defend the Houses. 

“Both speakers of the House must be put on notice that they are walking on a very dangerous path and members are thinking otherwise. If this accountability is taken a notch higher, they might become the casualties of what is happening. And they will go before we go,” he said.

Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, echoed the sentiments, even as he accused governors of misadvising national leaders.

He accused the Parliamentary leadership of failure to defend members, saying those accusing the Houses “are the originators of corruption in this country”. “We have the Majority and Minority leader. They don’t say anything. By now, I expect to have a statement from Senator Stewart Madzayo and Aaron Cheruiyot defending the institution and putting the record straight. Our speaker is nowhere to be seen,” he said.

“We cannot continue like this. If somebody has any evidence, let them present it. I don’t think we have ever sent you to get money from anybody. In this committee, there is no member for welfare here, as far as I know. So, chairman, you just know that you, as a leader of this committee, have a responsibility to defend this committee. We can’t do it on our own and individually.”

They defended the role of Senate in oversighting, with Sifuna saying the controversy was settled by the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court extended and said we can oversight both on-source revenue and money that comes from the equitable share. So, it is improper advice to tell leaders that the Senate or the committees of his House cannot call governors to appear before this.” 

He accused Raila of misadvising governors, recalling the pronouncements he has been making, with Cherargei insisting that governors “must and should appear before the Senate”.

Nyamira Senator, Okong’o Omogeni said the country is a constitutional democracy and guided by the rule of law and when there is doubt on any article in the Constitution, guidance is sought from the courts to interpret. 

Kitui Governor, Julius Malombe later appeared before the committee and was categorical that he has never been asked for money and neither are there such complaints at the Council of Governors (CoG).

“We have been accused of being extortionist, has anyone from this committee or from anywhere asked you for money? When you sit in the COG you have decided to declare public war to besmirch the image of the Senate, who are these people running around saying we extort money?” said Sifuna.

Malombe  responded: “Those accusations do not come from any governor I know of and has never featured in any CoG meeting. I do not know any of my colleagues who have alleged that they have been asked for money by the Senators.”

Kajwang urged Malombe to his colleagues that when they have an issue with Parliament, they should not go to the public but to follow procedure. Malombe thanked the Senate for pushing for equitable share and protecting devolution.