Members of Parliament (MPs) will today take a vote to proceed or dismiss Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi’s impeachment motion.

Should they vote in its favour, a select Committee comprising of 11 members will be set up to investigate accusations raised against the CS.

Six members will emanate from Kenya Kwanza majority while the other five will be from the Azimio minority. This committee should be established within seven days after today’s vote.

According to the law, a third of lawmakers are expected to vote ‘Yes’ to the motion for it to progress to the next stage.

This translates to about 116 legislators out of the 349 total number of MPs in the current National Assembly.

Members of Parliament are working on strict timelines as the House is scheduled for a month-long recess starting Friday, May 3. This will force them to convene a special sitting the following if the committee is established.

Once National Assembly approves the established committee, Agriculture CS Linturi will be allowed to appear before the members and defend himself against accusations raised.

The 11-member team will then be mandated to dismiss the case if evidence presented before them is insufficient, or vote in favour to impeach Linturi if the evidence is substantiated.

“If a resolution requiring the President to dismiss a Cabinet Secretary is supported by a majority of the Members of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall promptly deliver the resolution to the President,” reads Section 66(8) of National Assembly Standing Order.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, April 30, the Director of Public Prosecution approved the arrest and prosecution of persons and entities suspected to have orchestrated the fake fertilizer scandal.

The DPP recommended charges against three National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) over the saga.

The three — who have since been arrested and taken to Muthaiga Police Station — are; Joseph Kimote, the Managing Director, NCPB, John Kiplangat Lagat, the Cooperate Secretary, NCPB, and John Mbaya Matiri, the Chairman, Business Committee, NCPB.

The four officials of NCPB will be charged with conspiracy to defraud, and abuse of office contrary to Section 46 as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

They will be arraigned today (Thursday, May 2).