Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stood by former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi amid allegations of underperformance during his time in office. Addressing attendees at the 100th-anniversary celebrations and thanksgiving service at MCK Church Mikumbune in Meru County on Sunday, September 1, 2024, Gachagua described Linturi’s departure from the government as regrettable.
“We worked very well with CS Linturi. Linturi is our great son. I want to say as the deputy president, Linturi performed beyond expectations. He just got caught up in this reorganisation because of the political dynamics of the country, but it is not because Linturi failed to perform,” Gachagua stated.
“I worked with him with the President and Linturi, our son, worked as expected.”
In his message to Linturi, Gachagua encouraged him to keep hoping for a second chance.
“There is always a God of a second chance. When God closes one door, he opens another. We are praying for you, we wish you well and I want as you walk around in Meru, walk with your head tall. Do not feel like you did anything wrong. It’s only that the dynamics went beyond our control despite your very excellent performance in the cabinet. Relax, there is a god in heaven,” Gachagua added.
Linturi left the cabinet in July following President William Ruto’s decision to disband it and appoint a new team. Andrew Mwihia Karanja succeeded him as the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Linturi’s departure came amid the fake fertilizer scandal, where counterfeit fertilizer was sold to farmers across the country. He was removed from office along with 13 other cabinet secretaries, including:
1. Njuguna Ndung’u – National Treasury and Planning
2. Aisha Jumwa – Gender, Culture, the Arts
3. Moses Kuria – Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management
4. Zachariah Njeru – Water, Sanitation and Irrigation
5. Peninah Malonza – East African Community, the ASALs and Regional Development
6. Ezekiel Machogu – Education
9. Ababu Namwamba – Youth Affairs and Sports
10. Simon Chelugui – Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development
11. Florence Bore – Labour and Social Protection
12. Eliud Owalo – Information, Communications and the Digital Economy
13. Susan Nakhumicha – Health
