Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has made shocking claims that he was offered a Ksh.4 million bribe to vote in favor of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. Speaking on Citizen TV, Maanzo alleged that “state agents” attempted to influence the voting process and that those who resisted were subjected to intimidation.
“At least in the Gachagua matter, there was such an approach, and it didn’t work. It had conditions Ksh.4 million if you vote YES. And if you take it and vote NO, then you’d not get to your home,” Maanzo disclosed.
He further claimed that some Members of Parliament and individuals linked to State House were involved in lobbying for a unanimous Senate vote to remove Gachagua from office. The senator expressed concern over what he described as a culture of bribery in Kenya’s Parliament, warning that unchecked corruption is at the core of the country’s governance crisis.
“This bribery in the House must stop. We are running the country through bribes,” he lamented.
Maanzo linked the alleged corruption to the inefficiencies plaguing Kenya’s health sector, particularly the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). The system, which was meant to streamline healthcare access, has faced widespread criticism due to persistent failures and bureaucratic delays. Many Kenyans have been denied medical services due to system malfunctions and a lack of proper implementation.
President William Ruto acknowledged the setbacks in his administration’s healthcare plans, emphasizing that achieving Universal Health Coverage remains a priority. He reassured the public that while the program is facing challenges, it will ultimately succeed.
“It is the biggest program we have in the country. It may take time for things to align, but believe you me: It is going to work,” Ruto said during a Sunday service in Roysambu, Nairobi.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also admitted to the system’s glitches and pledged government efforts to resolve them. Meanwhile, the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has threatened to suspend SHA services, citing system failures and unpaid debts dating back to 2017.
As bribery scandals rock Parliament and critical sectors like healthcare suffer, Kenyans continue to demand transparency and accountability from their leaders.
