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| Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi |
Eight witnesses are set to testify against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi after the Committee investigating his proposed dismissal agreed to invite parties related to the charges levelled against him.
This comes after the Chairperson of the National Assembly Select Committee probing the Agriculture CS MP Naomi Waqo allowed parties to invite new witnesses for cross examination.
Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka, the mover of the impeachment motion intends to present eight witnesses who include six farmers and two experts, while CS Linturi’s defense team intends to call one witness.
MP Naomi Waqo stated that the decision regarding the number of witnesses and whether the sponsor can call other witnesses will be decided by this Select Committee and communicated today during the pre-trial hearing which happened on Tuesday.
MP Wamboka asserted that he moved the Motion to safeguard the interest of farmers.
“I am here to represent the interests of all farmers in the country and beyond. We will be seeking the indulgence of the Committee to summon the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Chief Operating Officer of Kenya Bureau of Standards. I am ready and I am committed to seeing this process to its conclusion,” he said.
On Thursday, the Committee is expected to receive evidence by CS Linturi and listen to closing remarks by both parties.
A Report on the Select Committee will be tabled before the House for debate during a special sitting on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 2.30 pm.
By Muraya Kamunde