Agriculture CS Linturi Survives Impeachment Motion Amidst Fertilizer Controversy
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi managed to avoid an impeachment motion against him, which was primarily sparked by the controversy surrounding fake fertiliser that had angered both lawmakers and the public.
On Monday, May 13, an 11-member committee, tasked with investigating the impeachment allegations, delivered its findings in the National Assembly. The committee concluded that the three accusations against the CS lacked sufficient evidence.
The charges brought against Linturi included gross violation of the Constitution, gross misconduct, and the commission of a crime under national law. The committee’s report was presented to the National Assembly by Naomi Waqo, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party.
After the announcement, chaos erupted among Members of Parliament, prompting Speaker Moses Wetangula to intervene and restore order. Wetangula emphasized that with the dismissal of the allegations by the committee, there was no need for further impeachment proceedings. He also mentioned the dissolution of the committee.
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Following the committee’s report, Rarieda MP Otiende Omollo and others were given an opportunity to comment. Omollo raised concerns about alleged misconduct within the committee and called for thorough investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi proposed that the National Assembly cease to recognize Mithika Linturi as the Cabinet Secretary, urging President William Ruto to remove him from office.
Linturi’s fate rested with the 11-member National Assembly Committee, which completed its report on Sunday, May 12. Throughout the hearings, Linturi defended himself against the allegations and accused his political opponents of trying to undermine him. He also implicated his former wife, Aldai MP Marianne Kitany.
In response, Kitany urged the President to intervene and protect farmers from cartels selling counterfeit agricultural inputs. She called upon the President to take decisive action in addressing the issue.
Agriculture CS Linturi Survives Impeachment Motion Amidst Fertilizer Controversy