MP Ejected from Parliament for Alleging Gachagua Carries Sacks of Corrupt Money Every Weekend to ‘Buy’ Support”

Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Atandi was ejected from the Parliament on Wednesday for alleging that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua perpetuates corruption by frequently leading fundraisers.

The legislator, who was contributing to the debate on the proposed 2022 Drug Control Authority Bill, claimed, without providing evidence, that the money Deputy President Gachagua donates at these events is of corrupt origin.

“The top officials in this government are the most corrupt. Evidence of this is the Deputy President carrying money in sacks every week and donating it at church fundraisers,” said the ODM-affiliated MP.

This prompted North Mbeere Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku Karinga (of the DP party) to rise on a point of order, asserting that Mr. Atandi was tarnishing Mr. Gachagua’s name without presenting any evidence or documentation to substantiate his claims.

“Honorable Speaker, I stand on the basis of parliamentary rules number 91 to request Honorable Atandi to provide evidence to prove that the Deputy President is corrupt. Furthermore, it is against these rules for this Member of Parliament to tarnish the name of a high-ranking government official in this parliament when he has no chance to defend himself,” Mr. Ruku told Deputy Speaker Rachael Nyamai.

“Therefore, if Mr. Atandi fails to submit evidence to support his claims, he should withdraw those claims and apologize to this parliament,” added the first-term MP.

However, when Ms. Nyamai, who is the Member of Parliament for Kitui South, asked Mr. Atandi to withdraw the claims and apologize, he refused to do so.

“Honorable Speaker, I will disappoint you because I will not apologize for something that is clear, that the officials of this government are corrupt,” said the second-term MP for Alego Usonga.

It was at this point that the Acting Speaker ordered Mr. Atandi to leave the Parliament for the remainder of the day, in accordance with parliamentary rules number 107 (1) (f).

According to this law, the Speaker of the National Assembly has the authority to eject a member for misconduct and for refusing to clarify allegations that demean the dignity of the House, members, or non-members.

Ultimately, Mr. Atandi complied and left the Parliament, while being jeered by members of the Kenya Kwanza faction.