Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi could face being the first close ally of President William Ruto to be ousted from Cabinet following Speaker Moses Wetangula’s approval of an impeachment motion against him.
Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka introduced the motion, seeking Linturi’s removal from Cabinet due to allegations of gross misconduct, gross violation of the Constitution, and committing a crime under national law.
Speaker Wetangula reviewed the motion and found it compliant with all legal requirements and standing orders, granting MP Wamboka permission to proceed with the impeachment motion. “Consequently, the grounds for dismissal of the Agriculture CS as contained in the proposed motion comply with the requirements of standing order 641a and 66,” Wetangula ruled. “In view of the foregoing, the proposed special motion meets the applicable procedural requirement for it to be admitted to the next stage.”
According to the Speaker’s ruling, the House is mandated to address the motion within 7 days after its introduction, warning that failure to do so would result in its collapse.
The members are scheduled to debate the motion on Thursday, with the possibility of forming a committee of 11 members to investigate the allegations against the CS and determine his guilt. The committee’s formation requires the approval of 117 MPs. Once established, the committee will have 10 days to conduct its investigation before reporting back to the House.
“If the Select Committee report finds that the allegations are unsubstantiated, no further proceedings are taken thereafter,” part of the Speaker’s ruling read. “However, if the Select Committee report finds that the allegations are substantiated, the House is required to afford the CS an opportunity to be heard and a vote whether to approve a resolution requiring dismissal of the Cabinet Secretary.”
Wamboka expressed confidence in having sufficient evidence to support Linturi’s removal and urged MPs to attend Thursday’s session in large numbers. Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi emphasized the significance of the motion in holding those in power accountable to the people and urged colleagues to support it as a means of upholding constitutionalism and the rule of law.
