The past relationship between Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and Aldai MP Maryanne Kitany took centre stage at a parliamentary committee hearing on Thursday.
Members of the Select Committee on the Proposed Dismissal of Linturi sharply differed on whether they needed to be given details about the past relationship of the two.
Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo requested the committee to invite Kitany to appear before members to give her version of the story.
“Although we are listening to the CS’s side, the person being mentioned is not here to defend herself and that is why we are finding it difficult to proceed. We cannot listen to one side of the spectrum when the other side is nowhere. Let the MP come to defend herself,” Omanyo said.
Committee chair Naomi Waqo said she will decide whether to invite Kitany at a later stage.
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“Omanyo has pleaded that we invite Kitany. We will deal with the issue at another level later on,” Waqo said.
Waqo noted that the committee did not stop the mover of the motion, Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, from presenting his case.
“I know discussing bedroom matters is not easy, but we have been put in this situation by the mover. Now that they did not withdraw, we have to deal with it. The CS is at liberty to respond,” Waqo added.
She added that the public heard Wamboka on Wednesday, and should now not hear Linturi’s side.
Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara said it was unfortunate that the committee has been forced to deal with issues introduced by the mover of the impeachment motion.
“The court cases were introduced by the mover of the motion so the CS has to respond,” he said.
Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza noted that since the mover of the motion prosecuted his case, the CS must also respond to the claims.
“I do not see anything wrong unless they are talking about things beyond the affidavits,” he said.
Making his submissions on Wednesday, Wamboka told Linturi to keep off Aldai MP in the impeachment saga.
Wamboka said it was unfortunate that the CS had invoked the MP in his response letter.
"I have looked at the responses by the CS and it is nothing short of a love letter by a jilted lover," he said.
"Ukiachwa achika," he remarked.
Wamboka said it was unfortunate for the CS to keep on dragging her into every matter yet she has her own family.
