- Linturi's legal team faces another blow after their request for more witnesses was declined. The team asked the committee to allow eight witnesses: two experts and six farmers.
Read More
The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Mithika Linturi is under siege after 149 MPs voted in favor of the motion to impeach him, only 36 rejected it, and three abstained utterly.
This is the first time the majority side lost a vote.
Government-leaning MPs have abandoned him, as the majority are standing with the poor farmers duped into buying stones for fertilizer.
The fate of Linturi now lies in the hands of the 11 members of the committee chaired by Marsabit women's rep Naomi Waqo. They will investigate the allegations against him and return to the house with a ruling.
According to Article 152 of the Kenyan constitution, no further action will be taken if the allegations are unsubstantiated. However, if well-validated, Linturi will be called in for self-defence, and a final vote will be cast.
Linturi's legal team faces another blow after their request for more witnesses was declined. The team asked the committee to allow eight witnesses: two experts and six farmers.
The committee, in its ruling, according to standing order 191 and article 125, gives parliament the right to call any witness before it takes its course.
Lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu represents Linturi and relies on one witness and a 386-page affidavit sworn by the CS.
The selected committee is expected to take ten days to finalize and submit the report to the National Assembly on May 14, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.
“As a committee, we will be objective and rely on facts that will be laid before us,” selected chairperson Naomi said.
Linturi, in his defence, has turned a spotlight on his former wife Maryanne Kitany and Aldai MP, claiming she is behind his woes after their love went sour. The ouster motion quickly shifted to a “failed love affair.”
“Whatever I have gone through for a number of years and what is manifesting itself here is not anything I would want to wish on any human being. It has been a long journey and very painful. When I thought I had gone through that kind of trauma, the motion here has brought up the same stories I have tried to fight for years,” said Linturi.
Linturi said it was unfortunate that the matter had entered parliament, although it was private.
However, the matter was not taken seriously.
“I have looked at the responses by the CS and it is nothing short of a love letter by a jilted lover. These are grievous matters of national importance to be reduced to love matters but it seems he has reduced them to love matters. Ukiachwa achika { When someone leaves you, accept it),” Wamboka said.
Linturi is being accused of procurement and distribution of fake fertilizer and alleged abuse of office.
The impeachment trial showdown continues in parliament and will run for three consecutive days until May 10, 2024.
