Gachagua accuses Ruto of entrenching corruption in Parliament

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during an interview at his Karen home. [Screengrab]

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of introducing what he termed as a "high level of corruption" in the National Assembly, claiming it has placed the country in a dangerous position.

In an interview with Citizen TV, Gachagua argued that the President has no moral ground to lament about corruption among Members of Parliament, alleging that he is "leading from the front."

He dismissed the recent creation of a multi-agency team to fight graft, describing it as a diversionary tactic.

"William Ruto is in every scandal in this country. Internationally, he is in trouble; no one wants to hear about him in America. He is now trying to shift focus from himself by blaming MPs," Gachagua said.

The former deputy president further alleged that legislators who have accepted bribes are now compelled to blindly support Kenya Kwanza government policies.

"All those senators and MPs who took money during my impeachment, during the Finance Bill, and other parliamentary decisions, Ruto has a file on each one of you. None of you will be able to abandon him; for the money you took, you must stick with him up to the ballot," he claimed.

Gachagua linked his fallout with the President to his refusal to play the role of "Mr. Yes Sir." He accused Ruto of routinely bribing lawmakers to secure support.

"Ruto pays Parliament for everything he wants. He paid MPs Ksh200,000 each to pass the Finance Bill. For my impeachment, MPs were paid Ksh500,000, while senators received Ksh10 million each," Gachagua alleged.