Savula Blames Parliament for Weak Anti-Corruption Fight, Defends Ruto Administration

Ayub Savula has blamed Parliament for what he described as Kenya’s weak fight against corruption, arguing that lawmakers have failed to properly fund and empower anti-graft institutions.

Speaking during a television interview on Monday night, Savula defended the administration of President William Ruto against accusations that the government is not serious about tackling corruption.

According to the Kakamega Deputy Governor, institutions tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption cases have been crippled by inadequate funding and limited legal authority.

Savula specifically pointed to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) as agencies that require stronger financial and legislative support.

He argued that Parliament cannot continue criticising the executive over corruption while at the same time failing to allocate enough resources to the institutions expected to lead the anti-graft war.

“Regarding the issue about corruption, MPs should give these institutions more money,” Savula stated during the interview.

He further claimed that national resources are often diverted to projects he described as less meaningful instead of strengthening accountability institutions.

The deputy governor also called for reforms that would give the EACC direct prosecutorial powers instead of relying entirely on the ODPP to approve corruption cases for prosecution.

According to Savula, many corruption investigations lose momentum because files prepared by investigators are forwarded to prosecutors and sometimes returned without action.

“Amend the law and give the EACC prosecution powers so that they don’t have to take their files to the DPP and the files are returned,” he said.

The debate over expanding EACC powers has resurfaced repeatedly in Kenya’s political and legal discussions. 

In 2025, Ledama Olekina also raised similar proposals, suggesting closer cooperation between the EACC and the ODPP to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption framework.

Savula’s remarks come at a time when corruption remains one of the most contentious political issues in Kenya, with growing public concern over accountability, misuse of public funds, and the effectiveness of anti-graft institutions.