By Peter Ochieng
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Franklin Mithika Linturi has been told to stop acting like a ‘jilted lover,’ after linking Aldai Member of Parliament (MP) Marianne Kitany to his impeachment motion currently before the National Assembly.
The former Meru Senator and Kitany were ‘an item’ before dramatically parting ways, leading to numerous court battles.
The motion which has since received overwhelming support from MPs was moved by Bumula legislature Jack Wanami Wamboka. However, Linturi insists that the Aldai MP is the person pushing for his removal from office, over claims of the fake fertiliser scandal.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s 11-member Select Committee during the hearing of proposed dismissal of the CS, his lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu stated that it is Kitany and not the Bumula MP who is behind his client’s ouster bid.
“The mover of this motion is the Member for Aldai,” Thiankolu said.
In a rejoinder, MP Wamboka urged the CS to leave Kitany out of the matter, adding that the impeachment motion is a matter of great public interest.
“The documents presented by CS Linturi are nothing but love letters from a jilted lover. These are grievous matters of national importance to be reduced to love matters. Ukiachwa achika. It is unfair to keep dragging MP Marianne Kitany into this matter. I am sure the Kenyan ladies are taking note of this, including the chair. It is also unfair that your private matters keep coming up any time serious issues arise,” said the first term lawmaker.
The CS on his part said he is being subjected to another round of trauma.
“Whatever I have gone through for a number of years is not something I would wish upon any human being. It has been a long and painful journey, and just when I thought I had overcome that kind of trauma, here comes the motion, bringing back the same stories that I have been trying to fight against for years.”
Meanwhile, a group of Meru leaders have defended CS Linturi against the impeachment he is currently facing.
Led by Meru Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma, the leaders termed his woes as nothing but political witch-hunt.
They asked President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua to intervene and save the CS, from the impending impeachment.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula has already set the date to determine Linturi’’s fate.
Wetang’ula has convened a special sitting on Monday next week, during which the Select Committee will present its report to Parliament.
The former Bungoma Senator in a notice on Monday May 6, said that the sitting will take place on Monday May 13 from 2.30PM.
“Now therefore, it is notified to all Members of the National Assembly and the general public that pursuant to the provisions of Article 152(7)(b) of the Constitution and Standing Orders 64(3) and 66, I have appointed Monday, 13th May 2024 at 2:30 p.m. as the day and time for a Special Sitting of the House to receive the report of the said Select Committee,” he said.
Linturi is now staring at becoming the first minister to be impeached, under President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.