Nairobi, May 10, 2024 – Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi will know the outcome of his impeachment case on Monday as an 11-member parliamentary select committee retreats to write its final report.
After concluding a three-day trial at Parliament buildings, the committee, led by Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Waqo, will now review the evidence presented during the hearings to determine Linturi’s fate.
Arguments Presented
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- MP Jack Wamboka (Prosecution): The motion’s proponent argued that his team had submitted strong evidence implicating Linturi in a fake fertilizer scandal. He criticized Linturi for not forming a proper National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) but instead establishing a committee to handle fertilizer distribution. Wamboka emphasized the public’s high expectations for justice, saying, “Mithika Linturi must go!”
- Lawyer Aisha (Prosecution): Aisha echoed similar concerns, highlighting Linturi’s failure to establish the NCPB board.
- Lawyer John Khaminwa (Prosecution): Khaminwa reinforced the arguments made by Wamboka and Aisha, urging the committee to remove Linturi from his role.
- CS Mithika Linturi (Defense): Linturi’s legal team dismissed the accusations, emphasizing that the CS cannot be implicated in the scandal due to the absence of direct proof. His lawyer, Muthomi Thiankulu, underscored the constitutional principle of presumed innocence until proven guilty.
- Linturi’s Other Counsel: The defense highlighted that public perception influenced opinions on Linturi’s character and urged the committee not to be swayed by media portrayals, insisting, “The guilt of Linturi has not been proved, he is innocent.”
Next Steps
The select committee will analyze all findings and produce a comprehensive report, which will be presented on Monday, May 13, determining whether CS Linturi remains in office.
