The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has issued a summon to National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro, the South Mugirango MP, in response to recent statements he made during a public event in Bomet County. During this event, he appeared to acknowledge receiving bribes from fellow MPs to facilitate their overseas trips.
EACC has instructed Mr. Osoro to appear at their headquarters located at Integrity Centre in Nairobi on November 6, 2023, at 9:00 am to provide a statement regarding these allegations.
In a statement released by EACC, the Commission emphasized the gravity of these allegations, which, if proven true, would constitute a serious breach of the integrity and ethical standards expected of State officers, as stipulated under Chapter Six of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act of 2012.
“The Commission notes that these allegations constitute serious ethical issues and if true would amount to a serious breach of the integrity and ethical requirements governing the conduct of State officers as laid out under Chapter Six of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012,” EACC stated.
The anti-graft watchdog also articulated its intentions in the matter: “To this end, you are required to appear at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s headquarters at Integrity Centre, Nairobi on 6th November 2023 at 09:00 am to shed light on the allegations, interview, and statement recording.”
Mr. Osoro’s controversial remarks were made on October 29 during the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) event, organized by Bomet Women Representative Linet Chepkorir, known as Toto. At this event, the MP boasted about his financial capabilities and insinuated that he provided monetary incentives to constituents in exchange for various favors, including their silence.
“Sasa wewe ukipiga kelele hapa hautakula pesa. We unafikiria mimi ni maskini? Mi napanganga laini hapa watu wanakula mia mbili wakienda. Hizi ni vitu ndogo sana. Unanyamaza, nazungumza alafu nakulipa,” he stated.
“Mimi nimekuwa bunge siku mingi na nimetengeneza kitu ya kutosha. Na mimi ndio chief whip kule bungeni. Hao wabunge wote mimi ndio nawasimamia na wakitaka kuenda ng’ambo wanakuja kwa ofisi yangu wananiachia yangu ndio wanaenda.”
The summoning of Mr. Osoro by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission adds another layer of intrigue to this unfolding controversy, as the nation waits to see how these allegations will be addressed by the authorities.
