'Was out of the country'-Linturi distances himself from fake fertilizer scandal

Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has stated that he was not in Kenya at the time a batch of fertiliser—later exposed as counterfeit—was brought into the country.

Linturi explained that he was on an official assignment in the Central African Republic alongside President William Ruto when the questionable fertiliser consignment arrived.

Contrary to allegations made during his impeachment process, he claims he had no hand in the procurement or approval of the fertiliser.

Speaking during an interview with K24 TV, he insists that he was wrongfully accused and made a scapegoat, which ultimately led to his removal from office.

The damage to his reputation, he says, has been significant, particularly because the full truth has never been revealed.

"At the time the fertiliser was brought in, I was in the Central African Republic on state duty with the President. This was around May 2021. I had no involvement whatsoever in the matter," Linturi emphasized.

He further noted that during the parliamentary impeachment proceedings, he maintained his innocence and presented his case, but the motion to impeach him still passed despite his efforts to clear his name.

Linturi backed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s previous remarks, suggesting that he was sacrificed to protect the President's reputation. He urged skeptics of Gachagua’s account to reconsider their stance.

"As Gachagua rightly put it, I was made to take the blame. Parliament eventually acquitted me, confirming that I wasn’t responsible for procuring the fertiliser," he said.

Linturi went on to say that it has been nine months since his impeachment, and he now feels ready to break his silence about the ordeal that, he says, continues to tarnish his reputation.

He expressed frustration over how the scandal has affected his public standing, especially in his home county of Meru, where many now link his name to the fake fertiliser controversy.

He questioned why he was made to bear the political consequences for an issue he insists he had no involvement in.

"It’s been nine months since my impeachment, and I can’t keep taking the fall for something I didn’t do. I’ve been following the public conversation, and it’s clear many still believe I was responsible," he said.

"Even back home in Meru, people now associate me with the fertiliser scandal. How long must I endure the blame for something I wasn’t part of? Just as Gachagua pointed out, there were others behind the scheme."

Linturi further clarified that, contrary to widespread belief at the time, the fertiliser in question may not have been completely fake.

Instead, he suggested that it was substandard due to missing key components.

He pointed out that essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were present in quantities lower than the industry standard, and the claim that the fertiliser was mixed with sand had been exaggerated.