The Resilient Journey of Franklin Mithika Linturi: From Political Ambitions to Personal Struggles
Mithika Linturi has previously held positions as a member of parliament, and senator, and unsuccessfully ran for the Meru Gubernatorial seat in the 2022 General Elections.
Franklin Mithika Linturi, the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, has managed to navigate through numerous serious challenges. His recent impeachment trial is just one of the many issues the former senator has faced.
Linturi’s difficulties are not confined to his political career; they also permeate his personal life, which has experienced significant hardships.
Early life and education
Linturi was born in Igembe, South Meru County, in 1969. He started his education at Amwamba Primary School in 1978 before attending Igembe Boys Secondary School.
After finishing secondary school, he went to the Kenya Institute of Marketing to obtain a Diploma in Marketing.
He subsequently took a certificate course at the College of Insurance and attended Meru Technical College, where he pursued a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course.
Academic struggles
Linturi encountered numerous academic obstacles while striving for excellence. In 2014, he was discontinued from the law degree program by the University of Nairobi Senate.
Linturi had presented a degree from India, but a high court later overturned the university’s decision.
Career beginnings
He started his career as an agent for various insurance firms until 1999 when he established Arkchoice Insurance Brokers Company.
During his time at the company, he met several clients who sparked his interest in politics and public service.
Political career
Linturi has enjoyed a lengthy and successful political career, serving as the Member of Parliament for Igembe South for three consecutive terms starting in 2007.
He was first elected in 2007 as an MP on a KANU ticket, after two failed attempts in 1997 on a Safina party ticket, losing to Jackson Kalweo of KANU, and in 2002 on a KANU ticket, losing to Raphael Muriungi of NARC.
In 2013, he retained his seat on the TNA party ticket of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta. In 2017, he won the Senatorial seat on the Jubilee party ticket.
However, his political ascent was halted in the 2022 general election when he lost the gubernatorial race to Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
Troubled ‘marriage’ and divorce
Linturi’s personal life has been equally tumultuous, especially his marriage to Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany, who was also the Chief of Staff to Kenyan Vice President William Ruto in 2016.
The former couple had a highly publicized and acrimonious split, with Kitany claiming they were married, while Linturi denied this.
Before Kitany, Linturi was married to high school teacher Mercy Kaimenyi, with whom he had two children.
They were married in a church in 2000. His eldest daughter was born to a Kenyan woman who now lives abroad.
Linturi has also been linked to other women with whom he has fathered children, though they remain out of the public eye.
The Resilient Journey of Franklin Mithika Linturi: From Political Ambitions to Personal Struggles