- Speaker Wetang'ula approved the motion on Tuesday.
- CS Linturi is accused amongst others of gross misconduct.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
MPs will on Thursday cast their vote to approve Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi’s ouster motion paving way for the creation of a Select Committee to investigate him.
The development is career-threatening to Linturi’s tenure in the Cabinet as the motion is said to be enjoying support from even the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
This is demonstrated by the fact that several MPs from President William Ruto's UDA and affiliate parties are signed in support of the ouster motion.
In Thursday’s vote, at least one-third of the 349 members will have to vote for the motion for it to move to the next level.
This translates to 116 members.
Failure to raise the number will mean the motion dying a natural death on the floor of the house.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has appealed to MPs to turn out in large numbers when the motion will be canvassed in the house.
“This motion is the last resort that the people of this country through their elected leadership can take as a way of holding to account those that have been put in service of the nation. I appeal to colleague members to turn in large members so that we can speak in one voice, we can speak for the defenseless Kenyans,” Wandayi said.
If the House will on Thursday manage to raise 116 MPs in support of the motion, Parliament will then have to form an 11-member Select Committee—six from majority Kenya Kwanza and five from minority side.
The select team must be in place seven days after the vote.
This means National Assembly may be forced to convene a special meeting next week to approve the Select team.
The House is scheduled for a month-long recess from Friday this week.
The team will investigate the accusation against the Cabinet Secretary and report back to the House within 10 days on whether it finds the allegations against the Cabinet Secretary to be substantiated.
During the Select Committee sittings, the CS will be given a chance to defend himself personally or through a representative.
Three days before his appearance, the motion plus the supporting evidence shall be availed to him.
The motion will hit a dead end if the 11-man committee finds the allegations unsubstantiated.
In case the allegations are substantiated, MPs will vote to approve the resolution requiring the CS to be dismissed.
“If a resolution requiring the President to dismiss a Cabinet Secretary is supported by a majority of the Members of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall promptly deliver the resolution to the President,” reads the Section 66(8) of the National Assembly Standing Order.
The impeachment bid backed by 110 MPs, including those from Kenya Kwanza, is sponsored by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka.
The lawmaker accuses Linturi of gross violation of the constitution and the law, and gross misconduct.
The legislator said the CS approved the procurement and distribution of fake fertiliser by the National Cereals and Produce Board.
He said the CS, through NCPB, procured and distributed ‘soil conditioner’ disguised as fertiliser to farmers.
The move, he argued, amounted to professional misconduct, gross violation of the constitution and gross misconduct.
“The conduct of the CS of overseeing the implementation of the budgets of the NCPB under his control for the procurement and distribution of fake fertiliser is a gross violation of values and principles of public service on use of resources, effectively and economically,” National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang'ula said, while delivering communication to the House.
In particular, the MP accused the CS of grossly violating Articles 10, 46, 75 and 207 of the constitution, leadership and integrity Act and Public Ethics Act.
The motion is seconded by Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere.