National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has allowed an impeachment motion against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary(CS) Mithika Linturi.
The halls of Parliament reverberated with anticipation as Bumula Member of Parliament, Jack Wamboka, tabled a motion seeking the impeachment of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Linturi. The motion, citing allegations of gross misconduct, gross violation of the Constitution, and commission of a crime under national law, has ignited a fervent debate among lawmakers.
Speaker Wetangula, after careful consideration, gave his seal of approval to the motion, deeming it compliant with both legal requirements and parliamentary standing orders. MP Wamboka was thus granted the floor to move the impeachment motion, marking a significant milestone in the unfolding political drama.
In a decisive ruling, Speaker Wetangula emphasized the procedural rigor that must be adhered to in such cases. He underscored that the grounds for dismissal outlined in the proposed motion align with the stipulations of standing orders 641a and 66, setting the stage for further deliberation.
Per parliamentary protocol, the House is mandated to address the motion within seven days of its presentation. Failure to do so, warned Speaker Wetangula, would result in the motion being deemed null and void, underscoring the urgency of the matter at hand.
Members of Parliament are slated to engage in a robust debate on Thursday, a session eagerly anticipated after the spirited introduction of the impeachment motion by MP Wamboka. Amid cheers from fellow lawmakers, the motion now awaits thorough scrutiny and deliberation on the floor of the House.
Crucially, the debate will center on whether to establish a committee comprising 11 members tasked with investigating the allegations against the Agriculture CS. Speaker Wetangula clarified that the formation of the committee hinges on garnering a minimum of 117 affirmative votes from MPs.
Should the committee be convened, it will have a window of 10 days to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against the CS. Its findings will be presented to the House for further consideration and action.
In laying out the roadmap ahead, Speaker Wetangula stressed the importance of due process and fairness. Should the committee’s report substantiate the allegations, the House will be compelled to afford the CS an opportunity to present their defense before a vote is cast on their dismissal.
As the political landscape bristles with tension, MP Wamboka remains resolute in his pursuit of accountability. Confident in the evidence at his disposal, he has vowed to press forward with his quest to hold the Agriculture CS accountable and recommend their removal from office to the President. The unfolding drama promises to shape the course of parliamentary proceedings in the days to come, casting a spotlight on the intricacies of governance and accountability in Kenya’s corridors of power.
