Eleven members of the National Assembly convened on Sunday night at a hotel to deliberate on the fate of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi. Reports suggest that Linturi is likely to retain his position.
Led by Naomi Waqo from Marsabit County, the MPs had been secluded since Friday, May 10, to determine whether to uphold the impeachment motion against the CS.
Linturi faces allegations of overseeing the distribution of substandard fertilizer through National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores. This pertains to his role as the Minister of Agriculture, tasked with overseeing President William Ruto’s subsidized fertilizer program.
The 11-member committee is expected to present its findings to the National Assembly during a special sitting on Monday, May 13.
Linturi has vehemently defended himself against the impeachment motion, attributing it to persecution from his adversaries. He has pointed fingers at his political opponents and a former partner with whom he had a falling out.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah urged the Waqo-led team to maintain impartiality while considering the accusations against the CS.
Among the MPs on the committee are Waqo, Samuel Chepkonga, George Murugara, Jane Maina, Moses Injendi, and Kassim Tandaza from the ruling coalition. Azimio representatives include Robert Mbui, TJ Kajwang, Catherine Omanyo, and Yussuf Farah. Racheal Nyamai represented Jubilee Party, which was recognized as a minority party in Parliament by Speaker Moses Wetangula.
Linturi’s case marks the first time a Cabinet Secretary has faced a National Assembly committee over an impeachment motion since the promulgation of the Kenyan Constitution in 2010.
