Vice Chair Of Mithika Linturi's Impeachment Committee Alleges What Transpired: "We Were Approached"

• The integrity of Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi's impeachment probe has continued to be queried
• Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, who served as the vice chair of the committee that probed the CS, claimed members were compromised to favour the CS
• Linturi risked impeachment after 149 members of the National Assembly adopted the motion following the fake fertiliser scandal that riddled his docket

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

The vice chair of the 11-member committee that probed Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has alleged the underhand dealings that marred the committee's proceedings.

Inside scheme to save Linturi

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui claimed members were approached by unmentioned quarters within and without the committee to influence the outcome of the proceedings in favour of the CS.

According to Mbui, the quarters were ready to splurge monies on the committee members to shape the ultimate decision of the committee.

"Yes, it did happen on occasion by members not in the committee who asked for a favourable verdict with a promise there would be a thank you in the end. I was also approached by the committee's membership and told there was a plan for us to be settled in a certain way; all we had to do was look the other way. I'd be rich today if I decided to look the other way," said Mbui during an interview with Spice FM.

Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, who sponsored Linturi's impeachment motion, also claimed the embattled CS survived through bribery, citing evidence on his side.

Busia MP Catherine Omanyo claimed she was approached and offered between KSh 2 and 3 million to side with the members that would salvage Linturi.

She turned down the offers, she said.

How did committee save Linturi?

Seven MPs in the 11-member committee voted to save Mr Linturi from impeachment.

The committee was chaired by Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Waqo alongside Mbui.

A member claimed a team within the committee was carefully selected to “save Mr Linturi.”

Six of the members who voted to save the CS are aligned with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance side.

Ainabkoi lawmaker Samuel Chepkong'a abstained from voting.

Linturi was being accused of, among other things, breaching the law in the procurement and distribution of fake fertiliser.

The supposed scheme in the Agriculture docket -where fake fertiliser was being supplied to farmers- was revealed in March by Africa Uncensored, a media outlet specialising in investigative documentaries.

What were Africa Uncensored's findings on fake fertiliser?

According to the outlet's findings, the BL-GPC Original fertiliser under the government subsidy programme was not organic and had counterfeited the standardisation marks.

While fertiliser should be 70% organic matter, the one in question was only 40% organic and contained diatomaceous elements.

Over 5,800 bags of the product were later recalled from the market by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

But in his response to the matter, Linturi was defensive, accusing the media organisation of running an unfounded story.

According to him, the Ministry was not contacted to clarify the matter, suggesting that the investigative report was misleading and portrayed it in a bad light.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke