Ruto calls out MPs for demanding bribes to spare CSs and governors from facing sanctions

Speaking during the opening of the 9th Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, Ruto accused both members of the National Assembly and Senate of from the executive, governors, ministers and people in the executive so as to write favourable reports or look the way instead of holding them accountable.

“I must say the legislature must be held to account because something is going on in our legislature that we must call out. There is money being demanded from the executive, governors, ministers and people in the executive, especially those who go for accountability before our houses of Parliament,” the President said.

He called on the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to take firm action against corruption in Parliament.

“Mr Speaker, it can’t continue to be business as usual. It is not possible that committees of Parliament demand to be bribed, demand to be paid for them to write reports or look the other way for what is happening in either the county or national government.”

This is the second time the President is criticising MPs for allegedly engaging in graft. Last week, he accused them of making changes to crucial Bills in exchange for bribes from interested parties.

“I want to ask the Judiciary not to be a haven for the corrupt and hide behind judicial decisions. We have innovation that is only available in Kenya, which allows a corrupt person not to be prosecuted. We have something called anticipatory bail. It is a Kenyan innovation that takes us backwards. Someone who has stolen public funds, going to court and getting anticipatory bail makes it impossible for such a person to be arrested and prosecuted,” Ruto said.

During the conference, the President also noted that corruption remains the greatest threat to the full realisation of the gains of devolution.

He noted that the national government has increased the equitable share of revenue to counties by nearly Sh30 billion compared to the last financial year.

P Ruto said the unprecedented increase from last year’s Sh387.4 billion to Sh415 billion will go a long way in strengthening devolution.

The President said the County Allocation of Revenue Act, 2025, which he assented to earlier on Wednesday, distributes the equitable share among the 47 counties in strict adherence to the revenue sharing formula set out in Article 217 of the Constitution.

He pointed out that this is the first allocation to apply the Fourth Determination of the Basis for Division of Revenue, which was approved by Parliament this year.

“This is not just more money; it is a stronger foundation for counties to deliver, develop, and transform lives,” he said.

President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the devolved units.

He said despite operating within a tight fiscal space, the government has honoured its commitment to timely disbursements, clearing all balances owed to counties for the just-ended financial year.

“This ensures that counties have the fiscal capacity, institutional infrastructure, and human resources necessary to deliver on their expanded mandates effectively,” he said.

The President pointed out that in just 12 years since the inception of devolution, the government has transferred a total of KSh4 trillion to counties.

“Every corner of Kenya now has a functional county government closer to the people than ever before,” he said.

The President said the National Government has transferred the 14 outstanding devolved functions to counties, aligning them with the requisite funding.

“This milestone has eliminated decades-old ambiguities that hampered service delivery and fuelled inter-governmental disputes,” he said.

He explained that full transfer of devolved functions will empower county governments to design and implement programmes that respond directly to local needs.

The President announced that the National Government has gazetted immovable assets, including land and buildings, for transfer to and ownership of the counties.

President Ruto said he had assented to the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which amends the Public Finance Management Act to provide for the establishment of a County Assembly Fund in each county.

He said the new law consolidates the place of county assemblies while clearly defining the respective responsibilities of both National and county governments.

“It is not just a legal act, it is a statement of intent that counties must have the means, the mandate, and the clarity to serve our people effectively,” he said.

He pointed out that the government is working with counties to build one bankable, high-impact value chain in every county.

“This is about turning local potential into jobs, incomes, and exports,” the President explained.

On his part, Council of Governors Chair and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi commended the national government for disbursing county funds on time.

“For the three years that you have been in charge, at least the last shilling was released to the County Revenue Funds account by midnight on 30th June. We don’t take that for granted. It was not always the case,” he said.

The Council of Governors asked county chiefs to ensure resources are distributed equitably within the counties.

He noted that since the advent of devolution there has been improved service delivery at the grassroots, citing healthcare services.

Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga and Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi among others were present.