Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi has been in politics for nearly two decades. He started as a Member of Parliament in 2007 and has ascended to the position of CS over the years.
His political career has been engulfed in controversies. In this article, we outline some of the controversial moments that have surrounded the CS.
Mysterious Death of House Help
In October 2018, a house help who was serving at Linturi's home died mysteriously. Reports indicate that the lady named Edith Kinanu died on October 5, 2018.
Her death did not elicit much attention until an individual named Wilson Mwiti, who introduced himself as the husband of the deceased, showed up and started asking questions.
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Mwiti claimed that a postmortem was not conducted, creating suspicion on the cause of her death. He also claimed that the burial was rushed.
Sued for Marital Affair in 2012
In August 2012, a woman sued Linturi for claims of neglecting a son they allegedly sired together.
The lady claimed that she gave birth to their son in 2010, two years after they got married under Meru customary law.
In her suit, the lady claimed that Linturi provided for them until 2011 when things took a different turn. She claimed that from 2011, Linturi became "cruel, abusive, irresponsible and negligent."
University of Nairobi Degree Case
In November 2017, the University of Nairobi de-registered Linturi's 2014 law degree over claims that he used fake papers when enrolling.
Following the decision, Linturi moved to the High Court and challenged the university's decision. The court overturned the decision, paving the way for the former Meru Senator to graduate with a law degree in 2020.
Sneaking Into a Couple's Hotel Room in Nanyuki
In September 2021, Linturi was charged with the claim of sneaking into a couple's hotel room and allegedly attempting to rape a woman.
According to the charge sheet, Linturi committed the alleged offense on January 30, 2021, at around 3 a.m. at Maiyan Villa's hotel in Nanyuki.
Linturi denied the charge and was released on a Sh500,000 bond.
In October 2022, the lady withdrew the complaint after they reportedly reached an out-of-court settlement with the then-Meru Senator.
Fertilizer Scandal
On May 2, 2024, the National Assembly voted to impeach the Agriculture CS over claims of gross conduct related to the fake subsidized fertilizer scandal.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka moved the motion to impeach the CS, which was supported by 149 members and opposed by 36.
The National Assembly also approved the formation of a select committee to investigate Linturi's impeachment charges.
The committee is expected to deliver its report after the conclusion of the impeachment hearing.
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