- Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and his Health counterpart Susan Nakhumicha face a tough acid test amid impeachment plot in Parliament.
- Linturi and Nakhumicha face ouster over the fake fertiliser scam and prolonged doctors’ strike that have paralyzed services in public hospitals, respectively.
Image: HANDOUT
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and his Health counterpart Susan Nakhumicha face a tough acid test amid their ouster plots in Parliament.
Linturi and Nakhumicha face ouster over the fake fertiliser scam and prolonged doctors’ strike that has paralysed services in public hospitals, respectively.
MPs from both sides of the political divide have disclosed they are working on motions to impeach the two officials.
In what could spell trouble for Linturi, his removal is being pushed by a member of the ruling UDA.
Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku is accusing the CS of allegedly overseeing the production and circulation of fake fertiliser to farmers, thereby undermining the President’s programme on food security.
“Yes, Parliament has the mandate of oversight. We are ready to explore all the avenues including impeachment of the CS for Agriculture,” Ruku told the Star.
According to the vocal first-term MP, there is a ‘criminal network’ with the ministry that engineered the production and sale of the fake commodity.
“Those responsible should vacate office and be taken to jail. The buck stops with the CS Agriculture. He is the top-most in the ministry as far as the (subsidised fertiliser) programme is concerned,” he said.
The lawmaker said his Bumula colleague Jack Wamboka (DAP-K) is also working on a similar motion.
However, Wamboka did not respond to calls and a text message seeking to know whether he is also preparing a motion to remove Linturi.
“We will go back to Parliament on Tuesday and see if we can synchronise the motions. We must stand with Kenyans,” he said.
The CS has been on the spot after revelations his ministry, through the National Cereal and Produce Board, distributed fake fertiliser.
After initially denying the report, Linturi finally admitted that 3,000 bags of fertiliser distributed by Kel Chemicals, one of the firms contracted by NCPB to distribute the commodity, were substandard.
Already, Linturi has ordered immediate closure and withdrawal of practicing certificate of the company until the ongoing investigations are concluded.
However, the opposition has also maintained that Linturi takes full responsibility – be sacked – for the distribution of fake or substandard fertiliser.
“The CS for the Ministry of Agriculture who is responsible for NCPB and KEPHIS, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Trade who is responsible for KEBS must take full responsibility of the confusion that is being witnessed and resign with immediate effect,” Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said.
“Failure to resign by these top government officials, the appointing authority must swing into action and sack them forthwith,” the Ugunja MP added.
Image: FILE
For Nakhumicha, her ouster motion is pending in the office of the National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge after Embakasi East MP Babu Owino filed a notice to remove her.
Babu accuses Nakhumicha of incompetence and gross violation of the constitution.
In particular, he accused the CS of grossly violating 26(1) and 43 (1)(a) of the constitution.
“As a result of the doctor's strike, a majority of Kenyans' rights to life as well as well as the right to highest attainable standards of health has been grossly violated,” Babu states in the notice.
The doctors, under the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union have been on strike for four weeks now.
This development comes even as Wandayi, who leads the Azimio brigade in the National Assembly, called for Nakhumicha’s removal over alleged incompetence.
“If the Health CS is not able to make the National Treasury release funds for a critical ministry like hers, she has no option but to quit,” Wandayi said.
Babu said that since then, Kenyans have been unable to access medical care. In some cases, he said, lives have been lost.
“The CS has exhibited incompetence in that she has failed to avert the doctors strike,” Babu said.
The MP added that the CS failed to honour the doctors Collective Bargaining Agreement and has instead taken a hard line, threatening the striking doctors with immediate sacking and replacement.
“The CS further failed to appreciate the seriousness of the strike and has failed to provide a lasting solution to settle the demands of the medics including hiring of interns and payment of arrears,” he said.