Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow has raised concerns over the perceived influence of the Executive in the outcome of the impeachment inquiry targeting Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
The National Assembly special committee tasked with investigating the impeachment motion against CS Linturi recently absolved him of any wrongdoing, citing insufficient evidence to support the motion’s allegations.
Kerrow has pointed fingers at President William Ruto, suggesting that his Kenya Kwanza Alliance MPs, who held the majority in the committee, may have been swayed by cues from the Executive to vote against the impeachment motion.
Expressing his views, Kerrow noted President Ruto’s and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah’s stances on the matter, interpreting them as indicators of the CS’s likely retention.
According to Kerrow, the committee’s decision appears to have been influenced by external pressures, possibly originating from the Executive, in a bid to protect one of its own.
“The decision reached by the committee doesn’t come as a surprise.
There were clear indications of biased involvement from the government’s side.
It seemed evident that the majority leader was not in favor of the 149 MPs who voted for the committee’s formation,” Kerrow remarked during an interview on Citizen TV’s Daybreak program.
He further highlighted Linturi’s continued participation in government and State House activities following the parliamentary vote, questioning the lack of action despite the initial support for an investigation into his conduct.
Kerrow emphasized the tendency for individuals to align themselves with the Executive’s directives, suggesting that political considerations often play a significant role in such cases.
The committee’s ruling has triggered a backlash within Parliament, with opposition MPs alleging corruption and misconduct in the inquiry process.
In defense of the committee’s decision, Kenya Kwanza legislators argued that the proponents of the impeachment motion failed to present compelling evidence to substantiate their claims against Linturi.
The motion to impeach Linturi, spearheaded by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, was grounded on three main accusations: gross violation of the Constitution or other laws, suspicion of criminal activity under national law, and gross misconduct.
Central to the allegations was the procurement and distribution of government-subsidized fertilizer, which is currently under investigation amid suspicions of counterfeit products being circulated.
