Ruto urged to ‘clean Parliament’ days after dissolving cabinet

By Peter Ochieng

Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party leader David Ouma Ochieng has urged President William Ruto to ‘clean Parliament’ days after dissolving his cabinet.

Last week, President Ruto dissolved his entire cabinet, save for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, in what he said was a path towards forming a ‘broad based government.’

He said he was keen on implementation of radical programs to deal with corruption, debt, domestic resources, lack of jobs and wastage in government, with some former CSs having been linked to corruption scandals while in office.

“During this process, the operations of government will continue uninterrupted under the guidance of Principal Secretaries and other relevant officials,” said the president.

However, speaking in Kitale during the Trans Nzoia County convention on Monday, David Ochieng who doubles as Ugenya Member of Parliament said the President should not rest on his laurels, adding that his ‘iron broom’ should turn to Parliament.

Members of Parliament and Senators have reportedly received bribes in the past, to pass Bills or even save some public officers from the jaws of impeachment.

Ochieng said that trend has to end. “You have dissolved the cabinet, now we want a lean cabinet. Make Parliament clean so that Kenyans can know that it is a place where their things can be done right. We want corruption to end, we want tribalism to end,” said the lawmaker.

He reiterated his stand against dialogue as propped by Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga a week ago, maintaining that the fight against ills bedevilling the country needs actions, not talks.

“In the last three years, this country has had the chance for dialogue. We spoke during the BBI, we spoke through elections then we had something called NADCO where people talked and talked.”

“I want to ask President William Ruto that this is not the time for dialogue. This is the time for action because we have spoken enough.”

Speaking during the event, Gladys Moraa from Kwanza in Trans Nzoia said she hopes the MDG party led by Ochieng will redeem Kenyan voters from the 'politics of deceit' as the clock ticks towards the 2027 general elections.