Parliament has been bought and captured by the Executive – Nelson Havi
Lawyer Nelson Havi has accused the executive of stripping Parliament of its independence, alleging that the legislature operates under State House’s direction.
Lawyer Nelson Havi has accused the executive of stripping Parliament of its independence, alleging that the legislature operates under State House’s direction.
Renowned lawyer Nelson Havi has accused the executive of stripping Parliament of its independence, alleging that the legislature has been bought off and now operates under State House’s direction.
Speaking on Thursday, August 14, Havi said President William Ruto was right to raise concerns about corruption within Parliament but claimed the president’s framing of the issue did not fully reflect the reality on the ground.
He argued that the rot lies in the complete control of the legislature by the executive, a situation he described as unprecedented in recent years.
“The statement by the president complaining about corruption in parliament is correct, but the facts are alternatively presented by the president. Our parliament has been purchased, emasculated, and captured by the executive.
“The only parliament that was informed and independent in the recent past was the one immediately before the promulgation of the constitution. Decisions are made on the basis of what is decided at State House,” he said.
Speaking at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County on Wednesday, August 13, Ruto called out Parliament over corruption, accusing MPs of turning legislative committees into ‘extortion rings’.
He condemned the practice of MPs soliciting money to write favorable reports or overlook corruption, emphasizing that such behavior undermines the integrity of oversight institution.
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“There is something happening in parliament that must be called out. There is money being demanded from executive, from governors, from people in executive especially those who are for 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,” he said.
Ruto vowed that his administration would not tolerate corruption, directing the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to take decisive action against corrupt officials, regardless of their political or social standing.
“I have made it clear to the Chair and CEO of EACC that there will be no sacred cow, that there will be no telephone call from anywhere, below or above, to stop anybody from being prosecuted on matters of corruption,” he added.
Ruto also criticized the judiciary for enabling corruption, particularly through the practice of anticipatory bail, which he argued hinders the arrest and prosecution of individuals accused of embezzling public funds.
“Don’t be a haven for the corrupt to hide behind judicial decisions. We have an innovation that is only available in Kenya that allows a corrupt person, someone who has stolen public funds, or somebody in breach of the law, not to be prosecuted. The anticipatory bail is an innovation that takes us backwards.
“Just let us ask ourselves, someone who has stolen public funds goes to court and asks for anticipatory bail, making it impossible for such a person to be arrested and prosecuted, how does that help in the fight against corruption? That is something we must ask our friends at the Judiciary,” he further said.
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