110 MPs sign petition to sack Linturi over fertiliser scandal
The noose was yesterday tightening around embattled Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi’s neck after 110 MPs signed a petition calling for his sacking over the fake fertilizer scandal.
The MPs, drawn from both the Majority and Minority sides supported the motion by Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami who wants Linturi kicked out of office for gross misconduct, serious breaches of public trust, mismanagement of resources as well as gross violation of various provisions of the constitution by approving the procurement and distribution of fake fertilizer by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
The MP also wants Linturi sacked for signing an agency agreement with 51 Capital and Africa Diatomite industries on March 31, 2023 for the supply and distribution of GPC diatomaceous whose product was not sold as chemical fertilizer but a soil conditioner.
He said: “We presented a motion to the speaker yesterday backed by 110 members. We are waiting for the approval from his office so that we can discuss the matter either Tuesday or Wednesday.”
He added: “I, Wamboka, I am finishing with Linturi. Let him stop sending emissaries to me. I don’t take small amounts of cash.”
Some of the notable MPs who have signed the motion include Joyce Kamene (Machakos, Wiper), Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi, ODM), Pauline Lenguris (Samburu MP, UDA), Maryanne Kitany (Aldai, UDA), Adams Korir (Keiyo North, UDA), Otiende Amollo (Rarieda, ODM), Samuel Parashina (Kajiado South, ODM), Adagala Beatrice (Vihiga MP, ANC), Stephen Mogaka (West Mugirango, JP) and Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba, ODM).
Others are Mohamed Adow (Wajir South, ODM), David Pkosing (Pokot South, KUP), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri, UDA), James Wamacukuru (Kabete, UDA) and Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North, DP), Mohamed Adow (Wajir South, ODM), David Pkosing (Pokot South, KUP), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri, UDA), James Wamacukuru (Kabete, UDA) and Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North, DP).
Wamboka, whose initiative will be seconded by Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere argued that the evidence presented before the National Assembly paints a distressing picture of negligence, mismanagement and potential criminal activities within Linturi’s ministry.
No proper investigations
He also claimed that the CS has engaged in a public spat with journalists who unearthed the fraudulent fertilizer scam, storming into manufacturing plants and purporting to revoke licenses all without conducting proper investigations or providing any clear policy decisions from the ministry on the matter.
Said Wamboka: “He has failed to demonstrate professionalism in carrying out duties of the office in a manner that maintains public confidence in the integrity of the office, amounts to gross misconduct contrary to section 11(a) of the Leadership and Integrity Act.’”
Addressing a news conference yesterday, Wamboka disclosed that he had already forwarded the motion to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula for approval to enable him prosecute it in the house either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. He clarified that he will not chicken out like Linturi who withdrew from the floor a similar motion seeking to remove Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru from office when she served as Devolution Cabinet Secretary in the first Jubilee government cabinet between 2013 and 2017.
The move by Wamboka came on the day city lawyer Ahmednassir Abdulahi sought to know why the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) was compensating farmers for fake fertilizer supplied by a private company called MEMS.
In a series of messages posted on his X platform, Ahmednassir demanded to know why NCPB, a public company, was taking responsibility for a private company.
He posted: “Surely how can a public body take the financial responsibilities of a private company? Why did NCPB in the first place pay billions to MEMS? Has MEMS now returned the money? Where is NCPB getting the money to refund farmers? Who are godfathers behind Mems?”
His sentiments came hours after NCPB in a letter announced that it had started compensating farmers who procured sub-standard fertilizer under the subsidy programme.
In the letter, NCPB said its decision follows a directive from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOLAD) that all farmers who bought KEL fertilizers be compensated.
NCPB told farmers who procured the substandard fertilizer will be issued with an equivalent amount of the top-dressing fertilizer while in the case of farmers who procured and have not utilized the fertilize, the entity told them to return the product back to board’s stores to be issued with an equivalent amount of fertilizer.
