MPs Approve Impeachment Motion Against CS Mithika Linturi
149 MPs voted to proceed with the impeachment process for CS Linturi while 36 of them opposed. Only 3 did not take part.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Members of Parliament (MP) are moving closer to making history by approving a proposed dismissal of embattled Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi.
On Thursday, May 2, 149 MPs voted to proceed with the impeachment process for CS Linturi while 36 of them opposed it. Only 3 did not take part.
For the motion to proceed, it required garnering support from at least one-third of the members of the National Assembly, totalling 117 members. This now paves the way for the formation of an investigative committee of 11 members.
The composition of the select committee reflects a balance of parliamentary representation, with 6 slots allocated to the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, 4 to the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, and 1 to the Jubilee Party.
MPs protesting in Parliament as they seek the impeachment of Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi on May 2, 2024. /NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
In his communication, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula stated, ”In nominating the members, parties are to ensure the nominees to the committee reflect the diversity of the house including regional and gender considerations.”
This committee will have a tight deadline, with just 10 days to examine the evidence against Linturi and deliver a report to the Assembly.
“The Select Committee shall within 10 days report to the assembly whether it finds the allegations against the Cabinet Secretary to be substantiated or otherwise. If the Select Committee report finds that the allegations are unsubstantiated, no further proceedings are taken thereafter,” read part of the Speaker’s ruling.
“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.”
Earlier, there was a moment of commotion in the National Assembly after Members of Parliament differed with Linturi's impeachment.
The commotion began after a section of legislators rose from their seats and began shouting as they demanded the immediate resignation of the Agriculture CS, with the lawmakers adamantly shouting 'Linturi must go' to vent the approval of the motion.
Speaker Moses Wetangula was forced to momentarily suspend the proceedings as he called the MPs to order.
Rarieda MP Atiende Omollo, a vocal proponent of the motion, affirmed his stance during the heated debate, citing "Should the CS take responsibility for the motion and the issue at hand? The answer is YES."
However, Linturi found support from members of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, including Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who cautioned against hastily resorting to impeachment based on unsubstantiated claims.
He urged the Assembly to allow the Committee on Agriculture to conduct a thorough inquiry before making any definitive decisions.
He stated, “We cannot use the basis of newspaper reports to impeach anybody. Allow me to plead with this house to defeat this motion because it will derail the fight against corruption. If we derail the fight against corruption, by using such motions to speak to the gallery, to speak to our voters, to speak about corruption but never acting over corruption.”
Similarly, nominated MP Sabina Chege called for a measured approach, advocating for the naming and shaming of individuals responsible for exploiting innocent farmers, asserting "These people should be jailed for taking advantage of innocent farmers," highlighting the need for decisive action against wrongdoers.
Linturi, in the motion filed by Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka, was supported by 110 signatures from legislators, and alleges serious wrongdoing by Linturi, accusing him of gross misconduct, gross violation of the Constitution and committing a crime under national law.
