Ruto hints at dishing out state jobs to Munya and Linturi

President William Ruto has hinted at the possibility of appointing former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and his predecessor, Peter Munya, to state positions.

While addressing residents in Maua, Meru Town, during his ongoing Mt. Kenya tour, Ruto revealed that discussions with the two leaders were underway and confirmed that arrangements were being made for their inclusion.

“Ya mwisho. Amenieleza (referring to John Paul Mwirigi) ya kwamba kuna wazee wawili wa mji huu-Peter Munya na rafiki yangu Frankline Mithika Linturi. Hawa viongozi wawili tayari wako na mazungumzo na mimi na tuko na kampango. Nyinyi tulizeni boli mambo iko sawa,” Ruto stated.

This translates to: "John Paul Mwirigi has informed me that two men from this town- Peter Munya and my friend Frankline Mithika Linturi are ready for talks with me, and we have a plan. Relax, everything is alright."

Linturi was among the Mt. Kenya political leaders granted state appointments following Ruto’s victory in the 2022 general election, taking charge of the agricultural sector.

However, his tenure was plagued by controversies, most notably the fake fertilizer scandal, where farmers across the country decried receiving substandard subsidized products.

The scandal nearly cost him his position as Cabinet Secretary, but he survived after MPs voted against an impeachment motion tabled by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka.

However, he lost his position when Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet amid the Gen-Z-led protests in 2024 over the controversial Finance Bill.

On the other hand, Munya served as a Cabinet Secretary in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

After the defeat, he remained aligned with the opposition until Raila entered into a joint agreement with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).