Embattled Linturi f****s back to keep job amid fertiliser scandal
Beleaguered Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi was at the weekend fighting to save his job ahead of debate on a motion calling for his sacking expected in the National Assembly later this week.
Sources close to him said Linturi spent the better part of the weekend lobbying among a section of MPs to shoot down the motion, lodged by Bumula MP Jack Wanami Wamboka and which is expected on the floor of the House later this week.
The sources who sought anonymity for fear of offending Standing Orders which prohibit MPs from discussing matters before the National Assembly outside the House said Linturi had reached out to a section of MPs from the Mt Kenya region whom he rallied to reject the motion.
Linturi, the sources said, has been pleading with lawmakers to be absent on the voting day to deny the mover of the motion the required numbers for it to pass through the House or to vote against the motion altogether.
A statement issued by Buuri legislator who doubles up as the Meru Caucus Chair, Mugambi Rindikiri condemned Wamboka for “lying” to Kenyans that Meru MPs have signed the impeachment motion.
Rindikiri maintained that no MP from Meru county had signed the motion and only five Kenya Kwanza legislators had appended their signatures and that Wamboka was only making unnecessary noise as there is no evidence that Linturi had violated the law.
While insisting that the motion will not succeed, Rindikiri claimed that he was aware that persons behind the motion were bitter that the Agriculture docket went to a member of the Meru community.
State House, the sources said, was yet to give any direction on the impending motion, forcing MPs, especially on the majority side, to make independent decisions on whether to support or reject it.
Already, 110 MPs drawn from both sides of the political divide have appended their signatures on the motion though a majority of them are from the Opposition side.
Amongst the notable MPs who support President William Ruto and have signed the motion include Pauline Lenguris (Samburu), Maryanne Kitany (Aldai), Adams Korir (Keiyo North), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga Woman Rep, Stephen Mogaka (West Mugirango), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), James Wamacukuru (Kabete), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North).
Article 152 of the Constitution provides that a member of the National Assembly, supported by at least one-quarter of all the members of the Assembly, may propose a motion requiring the President to dismiss a Cabinet Secretary on grounds on grounds of gross violation of a provision of the Constitution or of any other law, if there are serious reasons for believing that the Cabinet Secretary has committed a crime under national or international law or for gross misconduct.
Investigate the matter
If a motion is supported by at least one-third of the members of the National Assembly, the Constitution says that the Assembly should then appoint a select committee comprising eleven of its members to investigate the matter and report back to the house within ten days explaining whether the allegations against the Cabinet Secretary to be substantiated.
During the hearings of the committee, the Cabinet Secretary has the right to appear and be represented and the select committee reports that it finds the allegations as unsubstantiated, no further proceedings can continue but if they are substantiated, the National Assembly shall then give the Cabinet Secretary an opportunity to be heard; and vote whether to approve the resolution requiring the Cabinet Secretary to be dismissed.
Reads the Constitution: “If a resolution requiring the President to dismiss a Cabinet Secretary is supported by a majority of the members of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall promptly deliver the resolution to the President; and the President shall dismiss the Cabinet Secretary
Speaking yesterday, Wamboka was optimistic that his motion will pass in the House as he has adequate numbers to push on with it.
He clarified that he will not withdraw it from the floor despite emissaries being sent to him to have the matter shelved.
Wamboka wants Linturi removed from office for gross misconduct, serious breaches of public trust, mismanagement of the 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), signing an agency agreement with 51 Capital and Africa Diatomite industries on March 31 2022 for the supply and distribution of GPC diatomaceous whose product was not sold as chemical fertiliser but a soil conditioner.
He said: “As I told you I am pushing on with this matter to the end. I am not cheap to be bought by anyone. I hope to have it concluded by Thursday.”
Kakamega senator and senate Majority whip Boni Khalwale is on record telling Ruto to prove to Kenyans that he is serious about fighting graft by sacking Linturi and arresting all those involved in the fake fertilisers scandal.
