Mithiki Linturi: DCI Detectives Grill Agriculture CS As Impeachment Motion Awaits Him

• On Thursday, May 2, 149 Members of the National Assembly overwhelmingly voted in support of the impeachment motion against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi
• The censure motion was tabled by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka who accused the CS of incompetence and mismanagement of resources
• The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) summoned Linturi for questioning over the fake fertiliser scandal

On Friday, May 3, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) summoned and grilled embattled Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi over the fake fertiliser scandal.

Citizen TV reported that CS arrived at the DCI headquarters a few minutes past midday and was expected to record a statement over his involvement in the fertiliser saga.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had recommended the CS and his Principal Secretary (PS) Paul Ronoh be charged over the fake fertiliser in the country.

What did Mithika Linturi do?

Linturi is at the centre of the controversy after allegations emerged that his ministry supplied farmers with fake fertilser under the government subsidy programme.

Appearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, April 11, Linturi claimed the fertiliser was only substandard.

On Thursday, April 2, the National Assembly endorsed an impeachment motion against troubled CS.

The censure motion was tabled by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka who accused the CS of incompetence and mismanagement of resources.

How Many MPs voted for Linturi's impeachment?

Of the 188 MPs present during the sitting, 149 voted for the motion, while 36 voted against led by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah.

After the vote, the National Assembly formed an 11-members committee comprising Kenya Kwanza and Azimio MPs to probe the allegations levelled against the embattled CS.

NCPB officials arrested over fake fertiliser scanda1

Apart from Linturi, also facing probe over the same are National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) managing director Joseph Muna Kimote, corporate secretary John Kiplangat Ngetich, and general marketing manager John Mbaya Matiri were arrested.

The three were in a meeting with Ronoh on Wednesday, May 1, before their arrest by the DCI, after the evidence presented was reviewed.

What to know about the fake fertiliser scandal

• CS Linturi openly denied existence of fake fertilser in the country, he said the fertiliser were only short of the required standard by Kenya Bureau Standards (KEBS)
• While speaking during a church fundraiser in Imenti South, Linturi promised to mention individuals behind the fake fertiliser
• In the bid to counter the loss farmers made, President William Ruto ordered all farmers who bought fake fertiliser to be compensated

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.