• Monday, 23 December 2024
Corruption allegations surround special committee investigating impeachment motion against Mithika Linturi

Corruption allegations surround special committee investigating impeachment motion against Mithika Linturi

Questions have been raised surrounding the conduct of the National Assembly special committee probing the impeachment motion against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi after it cleared the CS of any wrongdoing on Monday.

Linturi survived impeachment after the 11-member committee determined that the grounds of the impeachment motion were not substantiated.

Seven of the 11 MPs voted to save the CS.

After the committee presented its findings to the House on Monday, Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo claimed to be aware of corruption among the members.

“I have spoken to some of the members of the select committee and a disclosure has been made to me that questions and allegations of impropriety and misconduct by some members of the committee,” he told Parliament.

“It is necessary that such an issue is referred to the powers and privileges committee first because if there is any truth in it would result in the report being annulled. It would not be right to discuss that report.”

But Speaker Moses Wetangula dismissed the lawmakers allegations, saying: “You cannot cast aspersions against your colleagues without a specific motion against any or several of them.”

Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi on his part termed the committee’s decision as a case of the Houses’ decision being revoked by a group of seven people.

“There is a higher moral responsibility on the cabinet secretary and the appointing authority, following the overwhelming 149-against-36 vote in this House last Thursday. This matter should not even have gone to the select committee stage,” said Wandayi.

He urged Parliament to refuse to recognise Linturi as the minister for Agriculture, until President Ruto yields and dismisses the CS.

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, who was a member of the select committee, alleged foul play, saying key witnesses in the probe, among them the Principal Secretary for agriculture, were not summoned.

But Kenya Kwanza legislators defended the committee’s decision, maintaining that the impeachment motion’s backers had not presented enough evidence to make the case for Linturi’s ouster.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah poked holes at the impeachment motion, saying it was laden with generalities and driven by “feelings”.

“Impeaching a cabinet secretary can never be anchored on our feelings, whether we like somebody or not,” he said.

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