In the wake of the failed bid to impeach Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, a fresh storm has erupted over State interference allegations in the fake fertiliser scandal probe, according to Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo.
Maanzo, a member of the Senate Committee investigating the distribution of counterfeit fertiliser to farmers nationwide, on Tuesday revealed shocking details suggesting that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) was involved in facilitating the sale of the fake product. However, Maanzo claims that those primarily responsible for the scam have not faced legal consequences.
Speaking on KTN News on Tuesday morning, Maanzo asserted, “Yes, there is overwhelming evidence that there has been state interference. First and foremost, as I’ve told you, from our own investigations as a committee, all the people who have been charged, there is no evidence against them. So they will eventually be acquitted.”
He continued, “The theft took place at lower levels…none of them have been arrested. And now the government has made sure that redoing does not carry political responsibility. So nobody is responsible.”
Since the unearthing of the distribution of fake fertilisers in March, at least eight senior officials at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) have been suspended, three National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) senior officials charged, as well as two companies alleged to have been involved suspended.
The NCPB bosses are facing 10 counts relating to the supply of 139,688 bags of fertiliser.
Speaking at the same show, Senator Okong’o Mogeni, stated, “Even Kenyans watching us this morning, they know they know that the UDA administration’s commitment to fighting corruption is zero. You know this is a government of friends. It’s a government that is going to have scandal after scandal and it will be cover up after cover-up.”
Maanzo’s allegations have ignited a firestorm of political finger-pointing, with legislators now directing scrutiny towards President William Ruto. This comes after a Parliamentary Select Committee exonerated Linturi of wrongdoing.
Maanzo directly implicated President Ruto, suggesting that the president should shoulder the political fallout from the fertiliser scandal, which has severely impacted farmers across the country.
He argued that Ruto wields significant influence over parliamentarians and could have influenced the outcome of Linturi’s impeachment.
Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow echoed Maanzo’s sentiments, alleging that the committee’s decision to clear Linturi was influenced by the executive branch. Kerrow pointed out that the president’s sway over parliamentarians likely played a significant role in the outcome.
Meanwhile, criticism has been leveled at the seven members of the special committee who voted to save Linturi from impeachment.
MPs Opiyo Wandayi, Otiende Amollo, Irene Mayaka, and Junet Mohamed accused them of disregarding the will of the people. The committee’s decision has only intensified the political turmoil surrounding the scandal.
Despite the diverging opinions within the committee, there was unanimous agreement on one point: the procurement and distribution of fake and substandard fertiliser by the NCPB.
As the political storm rages on, CS Linturi can breath easy, although governance experts have warned his operations going forward will be watched with microscopic lenses and scrutiny.
With allegations of state interference and political maneuvering, the quest for justice for affected farmers remains uncertain.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE