Marianne Kitany, Linturi’s Ex-Wife Drawn into CS’s Impeachment Drama
Marianne Kitany, the MP for Aldai, was a topic of conversation in Parliament on Thursday as legislators debated an impeachment motion against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya argued for the dismissal of the motion because Kitany, Linturi’s former wife, had signed it.
Baya claimed that the contentious history between Kitany and Linturi suggested a potential conflict of interest.
“Standing Order 90 extensively relies on matters that are about the member who signs as Number 15 (Marrianne Kitany) on the list,” Baya stated during the proceedings.
“Honourable Speaker, interest should have been declared that the MP signing should have in this case declared interest in this because it refers to a personal relationship to the member and therefore that we amend the list or declare that the list presented be expunged and this motion falls on its face.”
Baya also offered two other reasons for dismissing the motion brought by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka.
First, he noted that the impeachment motion cited ongoing court cases, and debating these issues in Parliament would violate the rule against subjudice.
Second, Baya argued that the evidence against Linturi was mere conjecture based on reports from electronic media, which goes against the National Assembly Standing Orders.
“From page 14 to 16 of the motion, you realize it’s contrary to Standing Orders 89. A lot of the cases referred to are active cases hence subjudice rules kick in,” he stated.
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“If you look at the motion laid by Hon. Wamboka, he referred to electronic. The whole motion is based on extracts from electronic and print media. Standing Order 6 does not allow that to happen hence this motion cannot stand.”
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula presented two charges against the Cabinet Secretary (CS): gross violation of the Constitution and gross misconduct.
MP Wamboka outlined that Linturi failed to engage in public participation with leaders, stakeholders, and Ministry departments on policy decisions regarding the procurement and distribution of fertilizer.
Additionally, Linturi was accused of misusing his position as a state officer to support a policy allowing the procurement and distribution of counterfeit fertilizer, which contradicts the Constitution.
Wamboka argued that this action compromised the public’s access to quality goods and services that protect their health, safety, and economic interests.
Consequently, Linturi was accused of not maintaining public trust.
Speaker Wetangula permitted the legislators to debate the impeachment motion for three hours before proceeding with an electronic vote at 12:30 pm.
Marianne Kitany, Linturi’s Ex-Wife Drawn into CS’s Impeachment Drama