Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka on Thursday, April 25, introduced a motion of impeachment against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
In a press briefing, the lawmaker highlighted a series of issues regarding Linturi's ministry including the fake fertiliser as well as the sugar scandal.
The Azimio MP raised concerns about the release of counterfeit fertiliser to the public under the watch of the Cabinet Secretary. He also referenced the sugar scandal, where unfit imported sugar was distributed to consumers.
The legislator stated that he has garnered 110 signatures supporting his impeachment motion and anticipates that National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula will promptly endorse the proposal. If approved, the motion will be presented to the House for debate, and lawmakers will determine his fate.
"You're well aware of the happenings in this country and the fertiliser scandal and what we have been experiencing, the drama around it. This is not the first time we've had scandals around CS Linturi. I want to draw your attention to the sugar scandal where sugar imported was not fit for human consumption and it was released to the public," he stated.
Among the charges listed by Wamboka include gross violation of the Constitution, gross misconduct and breach of public trust.
"As we speak today, in light of the recent events, it is with deep concern that I announce the introduction of a motion to impeach CS Linturi," Wamboka remarked.
"The motion is rooted in gross misconduct, violation of constitutional provisions and serious breaches of public trust. The evidence presented before the Assembly paints a distressing picture of negligence, mismanagement and potential criminal activities within his ministry."
The lawmaker called for his colleagues to back his motion for the entire process, citing that the CS has failed Kenyans by derailing the agenda of attaining food security.
How a CS Can be Impeached
According to Article 152 (6) of the Constitution, a legislator who is backed by at least a quarter of all MPs may propose a motion requiring the President to dismiss a CS.
The MP will be required to submit the motion to the Clerk of the National Assembly, along with a list of supporting MPs.
The Clerk will then forward the motion to the Speaker for presentation before the House. The MP must move the motion within 14 days of issuing the notice. Should the motion garner support from at least one-third of the National Assembly, a committee comprising 11 members will be appointed to investigate the allegations within 10 days.
Following the investigation, the committee furnishes a detailed report to the National Assembly. Subsequently, the Cabinet Secretary is summoned to Parliament to testify before the Committee. If any of the allegations are substantiated, the Cabinet Secretary is allowed to present their case before Parliament.
If the MPs find fault and support the impeachment, the Speaker delivers a resolution to the President, recommending the CS's dismissal.
