Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi woes have depened after 149 Mps approved his ouster motion. Only 36 opposed his impeachment motion while three abstained giving the House powers to select 11-member team to investigate his accusations.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi who supported the motion said the Cs had grossly handled the Ministry and his only recourse was to go home.
“This motion is the last resort that the people of this country through their elected leadership can take as a way of holding to account those that have been put in service of the nation. I appeal to colleague members to turn in large members so that we can speak in one voice, we can speak for the defenseless Kenyans,” Wandayi said.
After the Thursday’s move, the committee will report to the house next week but it will require 1/3 of the Mps to send Linturi home which translates to 116 MPs. The select team must be in place 10 days after the vote. The team will investigate the accusation against the Cabinet Secretary and report back to the House within 10 days on whether it finds the allegations against the Cabinet Secretary to be substantiated.
During the Select Committee sittings, the CS will be given a chance to defend himself personally or through a representative. Three days before his appearance, the motion plus the supporting evidence shall be availed to him.
The motion will hit a dead end if the 11-man committee finds the allegations unsubstantiated. In case the allegations are substantiated, MPs will vote to approve the resolution requiring the CS to be dismissed.
“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,” reads the Section 66(8) of the National Assembly Standing Order.
The impeachment bid backed by 110 MPs, including those from Kenya Kwanza, is sponsored by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka. The lawmaker accuses Linturi of gross violation of the constitution and the law, and gross misconduct.
The legislator said the CS approved the procurement and distribution of fake fertiliser by the National Cereals and Produce Board.