Why CS Linturi Has Raised Eyebrows with Upcoming Fertiliser Summit

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has got Kenyans talking after purposing to attend the upcoming Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit 2024. 

The conference, organised by the African Union, and which will be held at Nairobi's Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), is aimed at highlighting the crucial role of fertiliser and soil health in stimulating sustainable pro-poor productivity growth in African agriculture and agreeing on an African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan.

Linturi revealed via X (previously Twitter) that he would be among the speakers at the summit being held between May 7 and 9.

His tweet would unsettle Kenyans alive to the fake fertiliser scandal, which has had the CS at the centre.

Concerned Kenyans wondered about the significance of Linturi's presence in the fertiliser summit despite the indictment in his docket. 

According to them, Linturi was mocking the country by intending to be part of the summit in the face of the saga in his docket.

Below are some reactions;

Meanwhile, the National Assembly on Thursday, May 2 approved a motion to impeach Linturi.

In a vote held in the chambers, 149 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the impeachment motion, while 36 opposed it. Three lawmakers abstained from voting for the motion against CS Linturi.

Following the approval of the impeachment motion, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula directed parliamentary parties to nominate members to serve in the select committee that will investigate CS Linturi.

The majority side will nominate five members, the minority four, and the Jubilee Party one.

“The next step to be taken therefore is the appointment of members to a select committee to investigate the matter. In this regard hereby direct that the parliamentary parties in the house expeditiously nominate members to serve in the select committee and submit the names to the office of the speaker,” Wetangula stated.

CS Linturi is being accused of gross violations of the provisions of the Constitution or any other law, committing crimes under national law, and gross misconduct.

The select committee will have ten days to investigate Linturi and report to the National Assembly.

If the allegations are substantiated by the committee, the CS for Agriculture will be invited to the House to defend himself before MPs vote to either keep him in office or send him home.