President William Ruto accused certain Members of Parliament (MPs) of extorting money from the Executive to pass bills in the National Assembly.
Speaking during a joint parliamentary group meeting with ODM and UDA legislators on Monday, August 18, Ruto said he was aware of corrupt dealings within parliamentary committees.
“There are legitimate concerns about how resources are being spent at the counties, and we cannot run away. By virtue of the position I hold today, I am a consumer of raw intelligence. I know what’s going on,” he said.
Ruto accused certain committee members of receiving up to Ksh10 million to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
“Do you, for example, know that a few members of the House here received up to Ksh10 million to pass the Anti-Money Laundering Bill? Do you know that? Did you get the money?” Ruto posed.
The Anti-Money Laundering Bill was sponsored by the National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula directed the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) to consider the Bill.
The Committee prepared a report on the Anti-Money Laundering Bill and submitted it to the National Assembly in April 2025.
JLAC is chaired by Tharaka MP Murugara George Gitonga.
Gitonga is a member of President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse of the Maendeleo Chap Chap Party (MCC) is the Vice Chairperson.
Other Members of JLAC
Other members of the committee include Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Glady Boss, Ol Jorok MP Muchira Michael Mwangi, West Mugirango MP Mogaka Stephen, South Mugirango Silvanus Osoro, and Runyennjes MP Muchangi Karemba.
ODM MPs who are members of JLAC include Francis T.J. Kajwang’ (Ruaraka), Dr. Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), and Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands).
Jubilee Party also has Aden Daud of Wajir East and Siyad Amina Udgoon of Garissa Township.
Dadaab MP Farah Maalim of Wiper and his Kanduti counterpart, John Makali, of FORD-Kenya, are also members of JLAC.
Also Read: Ruto Orders Arrest Of MPs Who Received Ksh10 Million Bribe
JLAC Secretariat
The Committee also has a Secretariat to facilitate its operations.
JLAC’s Secretariat is headed by Clerk Assistant I, Ahmed Salim Abdalla.
Members of this Committee include Ronald Walala (Senior Legal Counsel), Abdikafar Abdi (Clerk Assistant III), Jael Ayiego (Clerk Assistant III), Isaac Nabiswa (Legal Counsel II) and Omar Abdirahim (Fiscal Analyst I).
Others are Vivienne Ogega (Research Officer III), Mary Kamande (Public Communications Officer III), Calvin Karung’o (Media Relations Officer III), Silas Opanga (Hansard Reporter III), Meldrick Sakani (Audio Officer), and John Nduaci (Serjeant-At-Arms).
Also Read: Ruto Reveals Details of MPs and Senators Asking for Bribes
Ruto Assents to Anti-Money Laundering Bill
President Ruto assented to the Bill on July 17, 2025.
The legislation is designed to strengthen Kenya’s framework for tackling money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.
The Bill was initially passed on April 16, 2025, but Ruto returned it to Parliament with reservations.
It was passed a second time by the National Assembly on June 3, 2025, with amendments that fully addressed the President’s concerns.
Amended Laws
The Bill amended 10 Acts of Parliament to address technical compliance deficiencies flagged by the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The amended laws are: The Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (Cap. 59A); the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Cap. 59B); the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Cap. 131); the Retirement Benefits Act (Cap. 197); the Mining Act (Cap. 306); the Sacco Societies Act (Cap. 490B); the Accountants Act (Cap. 531); the Estate Agents Act (Cap. 533); the Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya Act (Cap. 534); and the Public Benefits Organizations Act (No. 18 of 2013).
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