There could be signs of hostility, with President William Ruto and ODM chief Raila Odinga on one side and the legislature on the other, if reports of chaos during the first joint parliamentary meeting between Kenya Kwanza and ODM are anything to go by.
Critics and analysts opine that the sustained onslaught of the legislature by the two leaders could indicate impending changes to House leadership.
On 18 August, MPs and senators from ODM party and Kenya Kwanza Alliance met for a joint parliamentary group meeting headed by President Ruto and Raila.
According to multiple reports, the meeting ended abruptly as the MPs disagreed with the two leaders on several issues, including accusations of bribery and the constitutionality of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Continuing criticism of Parliament regarding alleged graft and bribery demands against members of the Executive appearing before parliamentary committees, President Ruto reiterated that action will be taken against those responsible.
“They are collecting money in the name of Parliament, and sometimes that money never gets to Parliament. Instead, it ends up in the pockets of a few individuals. We are not going to shame them; we are going to apprehend them,” Ruto said.
The president's remarks followed closely behind Raila's claims that the NG-CDF - a long-standing bone of contention between Raila and the MPs - is unconstitutional.
According to the former prime minister, MPs should not be in charge of the money and that projects under the fund should be handled by county governments.
Raila also claimed that some MPs were accepting bribes while carrying out their duties, a statement with which Ruto agreed.
Some MPs disagreed with Raila and could be heard heckling him. The situation was no different when the President took to the podium, with a few MPs allegedly walking out before the end of the meeting.
Senate Majority Leader had prompted the two leaders to address the bribery in Parliament claims.
Reports have emerged of lawmakers demanding bribes in exchange for favourable reviews of members of the executive and county governments appearing before them. President Ruto confirmed the allegations at the National Devolution Conference in Homa Bay saying that the Legislature needed to be held to account.
Following reports of alleged chaos at the meeting, Peter Salaysa, the MP for Mumias East, claimed that the disappointed lawmakers left the event without eating the lunch that had been planned for them.
“MPs refused to eat lunch organised by Raila and Ruto and even went ahead and refused their prayers during the ODM and kk PG meeting,” Salaysa alleged on social media.
