The motion to impeach the Cabinet secretary, initiated by Buluma MP Jack Wamboka, received approval from the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.
The decision was met with apparent agreement and excitement among many members of parliament, with approximately 110 MPs endorsing the motion with their signatures. Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi lauded the speaker for this decision.
The motion was prompted by allegations of gross misconduct, constitutional violations, breaches of public trust, negligence, incompetence, mismanagement, and possible criminal activities within the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
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This development could be problematic for Agriculture Secretary Mithika Linturi as the members of Parliament are scheduled to debate the motion on Thursday.
The MPs drawn from both the majority and minority sides want the CS to step aside and pave the way for investigations.
“Resign before we impeach you because investigations can’t be conducted when he is in ,” urged Sarah Korere, Laikipia North MP.
Ever since the scandal over counterfeit fertilizers emerged, the cabinet secretary has been in the focus. Despite being summoned by the Senate Committee, he maintained there were no fake fertilizers in the country, promising compensation to affected farmers under the government’s subsidy program.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) disclosed its initiation of the compensation process as directed by the Ministry of Agriculture. Farmers are urged to submit formal complaints by filling out Claims Declaration forms available at the depots and selling centers where they purchased the fertilizer. NCPB assured that verified farmers would receive equivalent amounts of top-dressing fertilizer.
However, KEL Company Limited has distanced itself from the ongoing compensation exercise and claims they have not been involved in the planned exercise. They maintained their position that the fake fertilizer did not originate from them.
After using the KEBS standardization mark on products they approved, some KEBS officials are under investigation because of the same.
