Former Chief Justice David Maraga has accused President William Ruto of lacking the moral authority to accuse MPs of corruption while facing integrity questions himself.
Maraga Calls Out Double Standards
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, August 20, Maraga argued that President Ruto should not lecture Parliament on corruption when questions remain about his own alleged involvement in scandals.
“The Kenyan people deserve a full accounting of where their money has gone and who has pocketed it,” he said, accusing the President of ignoring key accountability questions.
Claims of MP Bribery
The retired CJ went further, alleging that President Ruto has previously bribed Members of Parliament to advance political goals — including the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. He added that lawmakers themselves had made public claims of receiving inducements.
Maraga also questioned the source of the billions of shillings being handed out as “empowerment funds” in schools, markets, and churches, noting that such allocations are absent from the national budget.
Maraga’s Challenge to Ruto
To redeem his image, Maraga urged the Head of State to disclose the official budget line funding these projects and order investigations into alleged mismanagement of eCitizen funds, ghost schools, and unexplained government renovations.
Ruto’s Recent Remarks
Maraga’s remarks followed President Ruto’s speech at a Kenya Kwanza–ODM Parliamentary Group meeting on August 18. During the session, Ruto accused some MPs of receiving bribes worth KSh10 million to pass the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. He also claimed that Senate proceedings had turned into a “marketplace,” with governors allegedly paying up to KSh150 million to avoid impeachment.
“We are not going to shame them. We are going to arrest them. Whoever is giving and whoever is being given, we are going to sort them out,” the President said.
What Next for Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Drive?
Maraga’s criticism adds new weight to the national debate on corruption, with Kenyans demanding more transparency from both Parliament and the Presidency. Observers now wait to see whether Ruto will respond directly to the former CJ’s challenge.
Related:
Politics,
Governance
Source:
Nation Africa
FAQs
Why is Maraga criticising President Ruto?
He argues that Ruto cannot accuse MPs of corruption while ignoring allegations against himself, and has demanded accountability over public funds.
What did Ruto say about Parliament?
The President claimed MPs and senators had accepted bribes to influence legislation and oversight, promising arrests of both givers and receivers.
