Deputy Party Leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Cleophas Malala, has revealed that Members of Parliament were bribed to vote in favour of crucial government business.

Speaking on a local radio station on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the former Kakamega County Senator also launched an attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of hypocrisy in the fight against corruption.

Malala was speaking after the Parliament was recently put on the spot over alleged graft by the Head of State. However, in a quick rejoinder, Malala, who also served as United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General, said President Ruto has no moral ground to lecture legislators on integrity when his administration itself has been marred by questionable dealings.

“President Ruto has no moral authority to lecture anyone on matters of corruption,” Malala declared, insisting that the fight against graft had been reduced to political rhetoric rather than a genuine commitment to accountability.

The former Kakamega senator further claimed that MPs were compromised with bribes to push through crucial government business in the House. According to Malala, the Executive has perfected the art of using money to influence legislation, thereby eroding the independence of Parliament.

”Ruto used a lot of money in the Finance Bill 2024 and the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua,” Malala said.

Malala also linked the Head of State to what he termed as illegal leasing of sugar companies in the country’s sugar-belt regions, Nyanza and Western.

His remarks come in the wake of growing public dissatisfaction with how Parliament handles oversight. Malala’s sentiments also mirror a wider political debate on the sincerity of the government’s anti-corruption drive.

War on graft

The DCP official spoke moments after President Ruto on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, outlined the creation of a new Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption, which comprises 11 key agencies, under the leadership of the Executive Office of the President, with the Office of the Attorney General serving as the secretariat.

“The Government of the Republic of Kenya is steadfast in its commitment to reinforcing a ‘whole-of-government’ approach in the fight against corruption,” the Head of State said. “The Constitution of Kenya imposes an obligation on all Kenyans to combat corruption,” he emphasised. “Articles 10, 129 (2), 131 (1) (b), 131 (2) (a), and 201 impose on the President the mandate to exercise executive authority in safeguarding and upholding the Constitution and, consequently, in ensuring that public resources are utilised responsibly, in an open and accountable manner.”