Hon. Shakeel Shabir has hit back at President William Ruto’s recent claim that members of the National Assembly are demanding bribes from state offices.
In his view, the blame should be directed more towards the executive, which he says plays the bigger role in giving out the bribes that fuel corruption.
Speaking openly on the matter, the Kisumu East MP did not shy away from linking past political events to his argument.
He questioned how certain high-profile political decisions were made, using the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as an example.
According to Shakeel Shabir, the process of removing top leaders often involves large amounts of money changing hands, with the executive being at the centre of it.
“Executive is the giver of bribes; how did we impeach Gachagua? Who will admit it?” he asked.
He added that even in cases where the Senate is impeaching governors, there is usually a lot of money involved, and this does not happen without the knowledge or involvement of the executive.
His statement directly challenges the president’s narrative, shifting the focus away from MPs and placing it firmly on those in the highest offices of government.
The MP went further to emphasise that the problem of corruption cannot be solved by only blaming Parliament, because the source of the money and the influence that drives these actions comes from the executive branch.
He reminded Kenyans that such cases are not new and have been part of Kenya’s political reality for years.
By mentioning the impeachment of Gachagua, he raised a controversial example that could stir political tensions, especially as the matter remains fresh in the minds of many Kenyans.
President William Ruto had earlier stated that MPs who demand bribes from government offices might soon be investigated, raising the possibility of legal action.
His remarks sparked strong reactions, with Shakeel Shabir being one of the first to publicly question the president’s stance.
The MP’s position reflects a wider belief among some politicians and citizens that corruption is not only about those who take bribes but also about those who give them, and that real accountability must address both sides.
It now remains to be seen if President Ruto will respond to this challenge from Shakeel Shabir.
The MP’s statement has opened up a sensitive debate on whether the executive is indeed more corrupt than Parliament.
The coming days may determine whether this claim will be ignored, refuted, or spark a deeper investigation into how political decisions, including impeachments, are really made in Kenya.
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