President William Ruto has called out extortion and bribery in Parliament.
The President noted that the practice breeds corruption and loss of public resources that is meant to help the people.
He asked parliamentarians to tame the vice, saying it is destroying the credibility of Parliament, and said those involved will be held accountable.
“We are not going to shame them; we are going to arrest them,” he said.
The President made the remarks during a Kenya Kwanza-ODM Parliamentary Group meeting in Karen, Nairobi County, in the company of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and MPs.
The President said there was a need to ensure resources going to the counties are used for the benefit of the people.
The President wondered where those appearing before Parliament get up to KSh150 million to bribe MPs.
“This is not their money. This is public money,” he said.
Mr Odinga called for re-channelling of the National Government Constituency Development Fund to counties, noting that the responsibilities should be taken up by counties.
He said Members of Parliament should not be involved in implementing projects in their constituencies, pointing out that their roles are legislation, oversight and representation.
He said the Constitution has given clearly expressive roles to the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.
“The work of Parliament is representation, legislation and oversight. Parliament is not supposed to be implementing; it is supposed to oversight,” he said.
President Ruto said he will not shy away from making bold but necessary decisions to move the country forward.
The President said the country cannot be held hostage by retrogressive politics that has denied Kenyans the transformation they need.
He pointed out the difficulties he faces today arise from the bold decisions he has made, citing the new university funding model, the Social Health Authority and the Housing Levy.
“If I had not done any of those, I would be a very popular person, but the country would not have moved forward,” he said.
The President commended Mr Odinga for the bold decision he took to work with the government in confronting challenges facing the country.
“It may have been easy and popular to do the opposite. I know many people have vilified Mr Odinga and the ODM party for the decision they took to stand for Kenya when there was a need to do so,” he said.
The President said the partnership between the two parties presents a historic opportunity to unlock the country’s full potential.
He said the manifestos of the two parties were very similar, with up to 70 per cent common issues.
This, therefore, makes it easy for the two parties to implement what they both promised Kenyans.
“We have the historic opportunity to make this country what we have always wanted it to be,” he said.
President Ruto singled out SHA, saying despite criticism when it was launched, it has transitioned into a transformative healthcare system.
It has made it possible for over 25 million Kenyans to have medical insurance, he explained, and is minimising the need for hospital bills’ fundraisers, he said.
He explained that the government has also made tremendous progress in agricultural reforms, increasing production and productivity, implementation of affordable housing, which is creating thousands of jobs, among others.
The President said the country should draw lessons from Singapore and Malaysia, which were at the same level as Kenya 60 years ago but have since become developed countries.
He noted that the difference between Kenya and these countries is leadership.
“We have what it takes to measure up to the countries in the first world,” he added.
On devolution, the President said there was a need for Kenyans to distinguish between devolution and governors, saying the two are not synonymous.
He said devolution is about the people, not governors, and must be nurtured and protected.
“We can deal with the governor without disrupting devolution if there is need to,” he said.
On his part, Prof Kindiki said the bipartisan approach to tackling challenges facing the country is the best way forward.
He noted that no single political side can successfully address the complex issues affecting Kenyans.
“Let us not underestimate what the leadership of UDA, through President Ruto, and ODM, through Mr Odinga, has helped us to achieve as a nation,” he said.
Prof Kindiki called on Kenyans to rally behind national political parties, saying it was the best way to cater for minority and marginalised groups.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said the partnership between the two parties has fostered unity among MPs and the country at large.
He noted that the partnership between the two political parties has created synergy and has accelerated the implementation of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
His sentiments were echoed by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who said running the business of Parliament has become easier since the two political formations came together.
