MP Junet Mohamed Warns Agriculture CS Nominee: “After one year you’ll be walking jobless in the streets”
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has advised Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary nominee Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja to be wary of alleged ‘cartels’ in the ministry if appointed, warning that failure to address them could result in his removal within a year.
Mohamed, who serves on the Parliament’s Committee on Appointments, revealed that these shadowy figures have long manipulated deals within the ministry to benefit themselves at the expense of struggling Kenyan farmers.
The MP highlighted that these ‘cartels’ have consistently evaded accountability, forcing Agriculture ministers to face the consequences of their misdeeds.
He pointed out that previous officeholders have been dismissed due to scandals caused by these elusive figures, citing the recent removal of former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, who was dismissed by President William Ruto last month while some of his peers were reinstated.
Therefore, Mohamed warned Dr. Karanja to tread carefully and address these cartels effectively, or he might face a similar fate sooner than expected.
“The biggest problem in this country, in terms of when we approve people here and in terms of governance, is the Ministry of Agriculture; there have been problems over the last 5/7 years I was in Parliament, from the previous ministers to the one that we approved here who had 30 cases, plus now the PhD holder who has arrived here,” said Mohamed.
“I want this nominee to prove to this committee how he’s going to deal with these cartels and this corruption in Agriculture. Because if we were to describe corruption in government in the form of a home, the bedroom of corruption in government is the Ministry of Agriculture; the rest are sitting rooms, servant quarters, and other small places.”
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He added: “Having a PhD and dealing with corruption are two different things, and that’s one thing I want him to illustrate – even physically if he can – how he’s going to deal with corrupt people in that place. If you can prove that for me, I’ll be satisfied, because I know after one year you’ll be walking jobless in the streets, I can assure you.”
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Dr. Karanja aimed to reassure both the lawmaker and the Kenyan public that, should the committee approve him for the role, his main focus would be to dismantle the cartels.
He guaranteed the vetting panel that he has consistently upheld integrity throughout his public service career and would not compromise it now for the benefit of a few at the expense of the broader public.
“I know dealing with cartels is a big issue, and there are many formats and very many forms, but if I’m approved by this House and this committee, I’m saying I’m giving a notice on cartels. Notice that they will be out of business, with the fact that one of the principles which I hold very dear is integrity – not to be compromised,” said the CS nominee.
“The other principle which I hold very dear is having the country’s and the farmers’ interests at heart, so I will deal with them. We will do whatever it takes to deal with them; putting systems in place, and governance structures, making sure that I involve all the agencies of the government. I’m sure the government of Kenya is capable and has agencies, that can deal with these cartels, and I will be on the forefront.”
MP Junet Mohamed Warns Agriculture CS Nominee: “After one year you’ll be walking jobless in the streets”
