Panel wr*ps up hearings on dismissal motion against Agriculture CS Linturi
Mithika Linturi, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, is facing possible dismissal from office after a parliamentary committee concluded its hearings on a motion to remove him from office.
The motion, which was approved by the National Assembly on May 2, 2024, accuses Linturi of approving the procurement and distribution of fake fertilizer by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and failing to exercise public trust and transparency in his duties.
The committee's investigation centred on accusations that Linturi had failed to take action to prevent the distribution of substandard fertilizer, which has had a devastating impact on Kenyan farmers.
In his defence, Linturi's lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu argued that the accusations lacked specifics and a clear link between his client and the said wrongdoing.
"A Cabinet Secretary is not directly involved in procurement," Thiankolu argued, placing responsibility on the NCPB Managing Director.
However, the mover of the motion, Bumula Member of Parliament (MP) Jack Wamboka, countered that the responsibility for the fertilizer scandal lay squarely with Linturi.
Wamboka accused the Agriculture CS of failing to take action to prevent the distribution of substandard fertilizer, which resulted in significant losses for Kenyan farmers.
He further urged the committee to uphold the constitution and hold Linturi accountable.
"There are farmers who are affected. Kenyans' social economic rights have been tampered with," the Bumula MP stated.
The committee's chair, Naomi Waqo, thanked members for their commitment to duty and the media outlets for their coverage of the process.
The committee will now prepare a report, which will be tabled and considered by the National Assembly on Monday, May 13, 2024, in a special sitting.
The fertilizer scandal has been widely criticized by Kenyan farmers and agricultural experts, who say that it has had a devastating impact on the country's agricultural sector.
The outcome of the Committee's report will be closely watched by Kenyans, who are eager to see accountability and transparency in public procurement.
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