Former senior Economic Adviser Moses Kuria on Ruto bribes has stirred controversy, suggesting President William Ruto’s accusations against Members of Parliament confirm that lawmakers may have passed crucial bills through financial inducements.
Speaking on a local TV station on August 19, 2025, Kuria argued that Ruto’s revelations explain the rapid approval of landmark legislation like Universal Health Coverage (UHC) bills and the housing levy, potentially opening a dangerous Pandora’s box on corruption in Kenya’s legislative processes.
This Kuria on Ruto bribes claim underscores growing tensions between the executive and Parliament, raising questions about the integrity of laws enacted under Ruto’s administration.
Kuria’s comments followed Ruto’s speech at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on August 13, 2025, where the President accused MPs of turning oversight committees into extortion schemes, demanding bribes from government officials and governors for favourable reports.
Kuria expressed gratitude for Ruto’s candour, noting it sheds light on unexplained parliamentary efficiencies. He highlighted how four UHC bills and the housing levy were passed in record time, implying that inducements may have played a role.
“Somehow, I am feeling grateful to the President for saying that MPs vote because of financial inducement. Maybe that explains how they, in record time, passed four bills for the UHC, a darling of the President,” Kuria stated, adding that this could undermine the credibility of other laws, including anti-money laundering measures.
The adviser cautioned that Ruto’s remarks risk eroding public trust in legislation, as Kenyans may now doubt whether bills were approved on merit or through corruption.
“Even if Parliament is corrupt, how do they pass all these bills which we need as a government to carry out our agenda? If they are being bribed for anti-money laundering, a government bill, how do you know that they were not bribed for other things?” he questioned.
This revelation, according to Kuria, opens a Pandora’s box where distinguishing legitimate from induced approvals becomes impossible, potentially invalidating key government agendas.
Ruto’s address emphasised that parliamentary committees demand payments to write reports or overlook issues, undermining accountability. “It cannot continue to be business as usual.
It cannot be committees of Parliament demand to be paid for them to write reports or look the other way,” the President said. He also vowed no sacred cows in anti-corruption efforts, directing the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to prosecute without interference.
Parliamentarians have responded variably, with some defending their oversight role while others call for investigations into Ruto’s claims. Opposition leaders argue the accusations deflect from executive failures, urging a probe into how bills like the housing levy bypassed scrutiny.
Analysts note this spat reflects deeper systemic issues in Kenya, where corruption scandals have eroded public confidence, costing the economy billions annually.
The Kuria on Ruto bribes narrative has amplified calls for transparency, with civil society groups demanding audits of recent legislation. As debates rage, Kuria’s Pandora’s box warning highlights risks to democratic processes, potentially leading to legal challenges against inducement-linked laws.
Kuria on Ruto bribes revelations could trigger parliamentary inquiries, forcing disclosures on financial influences in bill approvals. With UHC and housing levy under scrutiny, stakeholders fear setbacks in key national programs if corruption links are proven.
The Kuria on Ruto bribes controversy underscores the need for reforms in legislative oversight, as MPs face accusations of turning committees into extortion machines. Ruto’s no sacred cows stance may backfire if it implicates his administration in past inducements.
In conclusion, Moses Kuria’s exposé on Ruto bribes has exposed potential inducements behind MPs’ bill approvals, opening a Pandora’s box on corruption. As Kenyans demand answers, this could reshape accountability in Parliament, ensuring future legislation passes on merit rather than financial incentives.
