Kenya Insights

Tag: Wanami Wamboka

  • Cooperatives PS Patrick Kiburi Fingered In Linturi’s Fake Fertilizer Bribery Scandal

    Cooperatives PS Patrick Kiburi Fingered In Linturi’s Fake Fertilizer Bribery Scandal

    Patrick Kiburi Kilemi, the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), has been adversely mentioned in the alleged bribery scandal in parliament over the exoneration of Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi in the fake fertilizer saga.

    The National Assembly’s special committee committee probing Linturi’s impeachment has been accused of being compromised and taking bribes to clear the CS.

    Sources claim that each of the members were offered with up to Sh5 million for a favorable report.

    Its reported PS Kiburi who is a close confidant of CS  Linturi, allegedly played as the intermediary between the compromised MPs and the accused CS in negotiating for bribes.

    Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai made the claim insisting, ‘PS Patrick Kiburi played like himself” loosely translated to mean he facilitated the transfer of cash to the MPs.

    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.

    A call for Probe

    A section of lawmakers now want thorough investigations into claims that money changed hands with a view to exonerate Linturi from blame in the fake fertiliser scandal probe.

    In particular the MPs demanded that the Powers and Privileges Committee as well as other investigative agencies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) be seized of the matter as it had put Parliament to shame.

    The calls for the investigations  came on a day fresh details emerged over how a senior official working in parliament allegedly met Linturi on May 1 immediately after Wetangula had approved the impeachment motion, to deliberate on how to save him from ouster.

    Sources privy to the intrigues, revealed that the said official assured the CS that resources would be mobilised to ensure that he is saved from ouster.

    It was understood that apart from the said meeting, a lot of other underhand dealings as well as meetings were held in high offices in government where it was agreed that Linturi should be saved as he was not to blame for the alleged scandal.

    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.”

    Speaking separately, Nominated MP John Mbadi was categorical that EACC should be called in to investigate  the matter which has put parliament to shame. He said it is regrettable that Sh5 million was being mentioned as the buying price for members  to save Linturi.

    He said: “I think those are not issues that you can just wish away. In fact, the amount has been mentioned and there is consistency in the amount. This matter needs to be dealt with by the Powers and Privileges Committee and it may even go to the extent of asking EACC to investigate because it is very unfortunate and if it happened then the Members affected have a lot of explanations to do.”

    He added: “The day before yesterday (Monday), the figure of Sh5 million has been mentioned, on Monday the same amount was still being mentioned. To me that is a serious matter more so that this is an issue that is of serious interest to the country in terms of compromising the food security.”

    ‘I was offered the bribe’

    Busia Woman Rep Catherine Omayo who was part of the special committee has claimed that someone attempted to bribe her to vote in favor in the impeachment case against Linturi.

    In an interview with Citizen TV, Omayo stated that most of the committee members tasked with determining Linturi’s fate were approached with bribes to sway their decision in favor of the CS.

    “Someone came to me with Ksh.2 million, and another came saying the money had increased to Ksh.3 million because the report against Linturi was hot. At some point these people asked me to state what I wanted to favour the CS,” Omanyo said.

    “The other person asked me to say what I wanted at that time so that we go where the person is or he will come here.”

    She revealed that the committee members were given bribes, but some declined to be compromised.

    List of the select committee

    1.Naomi Waqo- Marsabit Woman Rep

    1. Robert Mbui –Kathiani MP
    2. Rachael Nyamai- Kitui South MP
    3. Samuel Chepkonga- Ainabkhoi MP
    4. George Murugara-Tharaka MP
    5. T.J Kajwang- Ruaraka MP
    6. Jane Maina- Kirinyaga Woman Representative
    7. Moses Injendi – Malava MP
    8. Kassim Tandaza –Matuga MP
    9. Catherine Omanyo- Busia Woman Representative
    10. Yussuf Farah- Wajir West MP

    The committee held twelve sittings to investigate the proposed dismissal of the Agriculture and Livestock Development CS.

    According to Naomi Waqo the chairperson of the committee, four members dissented and made it publicly known to the committee.

    However, seven out of the 11 committee members investigating the fake fertilizer scam voted to save Linturi.

    While presenting the report, Naomi Waqo informed the House that the Committee found that allegations against the Cabinet Secretary were unsubstantiated.

    This meant that there will be no further proceedings on the matter.

    The Motion for the proposed removal of the CS was moved by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, on the grounds of alleged gross misconduct.

    Also cited was the gross violation of the Constitution and reasons to believe the CS committed a crime under national law.

    In response to the outcome of the impeachment, Wamboka accused MPs of betraying Kenyans by letting Linturi off the hook over the fake fertilizer scandal.

    “The unanimous decision of 149 members representing over 30M Kenyans cannot be overturned by the influenced 7 members of the select committee. Their decision is a betrayal in the city to the hardworking Kenyans in our villages,” he said.

    Despite the setback dealt by the select committee’s decision, Wamboka has stated that he will not tire until justice is served to Kenyan farmers and Linturi is dismissed.

    “We will not relent in pursuit of this fake fertilizer scandal that has rendered farmers hopeless and endangered the country’s food security,” Wamboka said.

    “There is no doubt that all evidence and witnesses proved beyond reasonable doubt that Linturi as the head of the docket was liable for the mess, scam and failures.”

    Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi described the committee’s decision as a case of the House’s ruling being overturned 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 recognize Linturi as the Minister for Agriculture until President Ruto yields and dismisses the CS.

  • Impeachment: Select Committee Clears Linturi In Fake Fertilizer Scandal

    Impeachment: Select Committee Clears Linturi In Fake Fertilizer Scandal

    Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has been saved from impeachment by the special committee of the National Assembly.

    In the 11-member committee that was selected to investigate the charges against the CS, seven voted to quash the motion that was overwhelmingly approved by MPs.

    Even as the committee retired to decide on the fate of the CS, cracks had already emerged in the 11-member committee with insiders claiming it was strategically constituted to save Linturi.

    The team was divided as those from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) who make up the majority had voted to save him while those in the opposition wanted him sent home on grounds that farmers received substandard fertilizer.

    Insiders say that during the report writing stage there was intense lobbying from both sides and under hand-dealings which were cut to try and save Linturi from ouster.

    It is understood that those opposed to his removal were of the opinion that the impeachment motion that was filed by Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami is solely because of his affair with Kitany which played out during the hearings of the proceedings.

    The sources further revealed the focus of the love affair now gone sour during the hearings was to the advantage of Linturi as some of the committee members used the said opportunity to argue in his favour.

    What next?

    The committee chaired by Majority whip and Marsabit woman representative Naomi Waqo that had retreated to Argyle Grand Hotel on Mombasa Road to write its report is expected to table its report today 10 days since it was constituted to allow the House to deliberate on it.

    Had the allegations stood, the National Assembly would have afforded the CS an opportunity to be heard and voted by a resolution of a majority of the 349 MPs in the House, which is 176, to approve the resolution requiring the CS to be dismissed.

    The controversial committee list 

    Even as the committee prepares to table the report dismissing the charges, Mr. Wamboka said that he will be opposing the report when it is tabled in the National Assembly should it exonerate Linturi as it will not be representing the wishes of farmers.

    He raised issues with the composition of the committee saying, it is ironic that the members who voted to reject his impeachment motion were the ones who were investigating the said matter.

    Waqo, Racheal Nyamai (Kitui South), George Murugara (Tharaka), Malulu Injendi (Malava),Kassim Tandaza (Matuga ) and Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga woman representative) who are members of the committee voted against the motion while  Robert Mbui (Kathiani), Tom Kajwang(Ruaraka), Catherine Omanyo(Busia Woman Representative) and Yussuf Farah (Wajor West) were among the 149 members who voted to have Lituri investigated. Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga’s vote was not captured anywhere.

    While communicating to the House on the composition of the special committee, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had said that majority side Kenya Kwanza Alliance, which is dominated by President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), would have six slots, minority side Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition four and Jubilee Party one slot.

    The list generated by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah (UDA, Kikuyu) had Ms Waqo, the deputy majority whip, Samuel Chepkong’a (UDA, Ainabkoi), George Murugara (UDA, Tharaka), Malulu Injendi (ANC, Malava), Njeri Maina (UDA, Kirinyaga Woman Representative) and Kassim Tandaza (ANC, Matuga).

    The Azimio side had deputy minority leader Robert Mbui (Wiper, Kathiani), Tom Kajwang’ (ODM, Ruaraka), Catherine Omanyo (ODM, Busia Woman Representative) and Yusuf Farah (ODM, Wajir West).

    The Jubilee Party, though a member of Azimio as per the records at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) but which Mr Wetang’ula had ruled is a political party while allocating it a chief whip position, had Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai.

    Curiously, all the six members nominated by Mr Ichung’wah to the committee, with the exception of one, voted to oppose the formation of the committee to investigate Mr Linturi.

    They were Ms Waqo, Mr Murugara, Mr Injendi, Ms Maina and Mr Tandaza. Dr Nyamai, who is allied with Kenya Kwanza, also voted to oppose the formation of the committee. Mr Chepkong’a, who was within the chambers, neither vote for or against the motion and did not record his abstention.

    From the Azimio side, only Mr Kajwang’ and Ms Omanyo voted for the establishment of the committee to investigate Mr Linturi.

    Mr Mbui and Mr Farah neither abstained nor voted for or against the motion and it was not clear whether they were in the chambers or not during voting.

    Bribery

    The decision of the select committee comes amid claims of bribery.

    Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdulahi had claimed that the members had been bribed with Ah5 million each to absolve Linturi of the charges and clear him of involvement in the fertilizer scam.

    “5m × 11=acquittal for Hon CS MITHIKA LINTURI by the Parliamentary select committee. ..that is Kenya for you…a FUCKING CHARADE!” The lawyer had posted on Friday.

    Reacting to the latest development, Ahmednasir reiterated the bribery claims and asserted that he knew how it would’ve ended, “I told you my people…5m×11=Hon Mithika Linturi’s ACQUITTAL! I told you my people!”

    On May 2nd 2024, the National Assembly approved a motion that seeks the dismissal of CS Linturi, who is alleged to have approved the procurement and distribution of fake fertilizer by the National Cereals and Produce Board, has failed to exercise public trust and to carry out the duties in a transparent and accountable manner amounting to gross misconduct and gross violation of the Constitution.

    In his closing statement, CS Linturi, through his lawyer Senior Counsel Muthomi Thiankolu, distanced himself from the subsidized fertliser procurement process. “A cabinet secretary is not directly involved in procurement,” SC Thiankolu argued, placing responsibility on the NCPB Managing Director.

    SC Thiankolu also countered that the allegations as outlined in the motion lacked specifics and a clear link between CS Linturi and the alleged wrongdoing.