Parliament is the weak link in serving the people of Kenya - Senator John Methu

A heated exchange unfolded on JKLive on Wednesday night as Senators sharply differed over the integrity and performance of Parliament, with some terming it a “house of bribes.”

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and his Nyandarua counterpart John Methu did not mince their words, confidently claiming that corruption has permeated the Legislative arm of government.

“There are colleagues who say Kenya has become a ‘house of bribes,’ and they argue that some members are part of that problem. They allege that when Governors appear before committees, there are attempts to influence the outcome of reports…that members are approached and asked to soften findings or ignore issues raised in audit reports,” said Onyonka.

The Kisii Senator further alleged that Parliamentary committee positions are influenced by political interests, noting that legislators allied to the opposition have often been intimidated and kicked out of influential committees.

“Why was I kicked out of the PAC (Public Accounts Committee)? Because I was told, you've been asking too many questions about ODM Governors….I said, but my job is to oversee these guys, and they're doing some filthy stuff. They're able to influence who will sit in what committee and what they must speak," he stated.

He further described the House as rotten, saying, “It's a filthy place. I've always said it. It's a den of gamblers and street vendors and money dealers and gold proprietors, except the only thing they never do is to fight for public service, is to fight for service delivery, is to fight for money not to be wasted.”

Onyonka's sentiments were partly echoed by Senator Methu, who described Parliament as having lost its grip on oversight.

“House of Bribes, as it has been called…When we began asking tough questions, we were told: ‘You’re first-time Senators. This is not how things are done. You’re asking too many questions,’” Methu asserted.

“But the truth is, in my opinion, Parliament has become the weak link in serving the people of Kenya.”

The outspoken MP went on to allege that money has influenced impeachment processes, citing the ouster of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in 2024.

“We have heard admissions…someone openly narrating how Ksh.100 million was given to impeach a Governor. We have seen money exchange hands. We saw bags of cash being carried during another impeachment process. Members were reportedly told, ‘There is money here, just come and collect,’” he claimed.

He also questioned why some Governors are only now raising allegations of bribery against Senators.

“What has surprised me is hearing Governors now claim that Senators are asking for bribes. If that is the case, you have been the Governor for three years, you have appeared before the Public Accounts Committee year after year. Why didn’t you complain in the first year? Or the second? Or the third? Why now, in the fourth year?” He posed.

“The reason, in my view, is that they are now answering for financial years that fall squarely under their tenure as Governors… Now the accountability relates directly to their administration.”

However, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda offered a different perspective, defending Parliament’s constitutional role even though he admitted to loopholes in lawmakers oversight role.

“I have a contrary opinion. I think Parliament, in this case the National Assembly under Article 95 with obligations, legislative oversight and representation, and Senate under Article 96, have a duty to enact law, and we are doing very well in that regard,” he said.

“We represent and raise issues that touch on the public. I think we do quite a good job there. Now, oversight is where there is a problem. And oversight because we are oversighting Governors and people feel that they should not be oversighted.”