Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) communications strategist Arnold Maliba has accused President William Ruto of betraying Members of Parliament after using them to advance his political and legislative agenda.
Maliba made the remarks during an interview with K24 TV on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, when he reacted to the President’s speech at the opening of this year’s Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County.
In his address, President Ruto claimed that MPs often demand bribes when members of the Executive and other government officials appear before parliamentary committees for accountability sessions.
According to Maliba, this statement was a calculated move that publicly discredited MPs, despite their previous loyalty in pushing through key government bills and political decisions.
Maliba said the President’s comments were not connected to the theme of devolution and instead revealed a deliberate effort to distance himself from Parliament.
Ex-UDA Communications advisor Annord Maliba during a past event. Photo: Arnold Maliba. Source: Facebook.
“Kauli iliyotolewa na Rais Ruto kuhusiana na wabunge haina uhusiano wowote na ugatuzi,” Maliba stated, adding that the remarks were intended to make MPs appear corrupt and untrustworthy in the eyes of the public.
The ex-UDA strategist further alleged that Ruto had used MPs to secure major political victories, including the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, before turning against them.
“The Head of State is simply finished with MPs. In simple terms, he has thrown them under the bus after using them to pass government bills and achieve other political scores,” Maliba argued.
He suggested that the President’s remarks may strain relations between the Executive and the Legislature, noting that public accusations of corruption could erode trust and cooperation.
Maliba warned that such a public fallout could weaken the government’s ability to push future policies through Parliament.
He urged MPs to reflect on their role in supporting the President’s past initiatives, cautioning that political loyalty in Kenya often comes with a risk of abandonment.
