Lawyer Saitabao Ole Kanchory has spoken of rare consensus between Kenyan politicians and the public amid ongoing accusations and counter-accusations over the former’s involvement in corrupt activities.

In a statement shared on his X page on August 20, 2025, the legal scholar noted that the accusations following President William Ruto’s recent rebuke of the legislature over alleged misconduct in soliciting and taking bribes were not unexpected.

The former presidential agent of the Azimio coalition stated that the furore that followed in the wake of the president’s remarks is a confirmation of what the Kenyan populace has been alluding to.

“Politicians are accusing each other of the same things WE THE PEOPLE have been accusing them of. For once we have a consensus as a nation,” he observed.

The president’s anti-corruption stance elicited a sharp response from the members of parliament, with many taking the fight back to the executive’s doorstep.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi slammed Ruto for what he termed as repeated character assassination of MPs, warning that those guilty of corruption should be prosecuted individually instead of tarnishing the reputation of the entire House.

Name and shame

What I am unhappy about is the manner in which the head of state described parliament as a place where there are all manner of bad people,” Caroli said.

“As the head of state, whatever he says spreads to all corners of the world, and that is how many people now know Kenya. What the president ought to have done is to name the individuals involved in the bribery and present evidence to that effect.”

The lawmaker further challenged the president to table evidence over his corruption allegations against Members of Parliament or issue an apology.

“Alternatively, he should have presented the evidence to agencies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) or the Powers and Privileges Committee to deal with the errant legislators,” Caroli added.

Blanket condemnation

“Those of us who are not involved in corruption are not impressed with the blanket condemnation of the house.”