Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out strongly in defense of former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi over the controversial substandard fertiliser scandal.
Gachagua alleges that Linturi is being used as a scapegoat in a scheme meant to shield powerful individuals behind the procurement mess.
He claimed that all fertiliser procurement deals are directly managed by State House under the supervision of President William Ruto.
Speaking during a church service in Meru, Gachagua questioned how Linturi could be blamed for a process he neither initiated nor controlled.
He further alleged that key decisions on agricultural inputs, including suppliers and distribution channels, are made at the highest levels of government.
The former DP suggested that investigations into the scandal should start at State House if the government is serious about accountability.
According to Gachagua, the scandal is being used to settle political scores within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
He warned that targeting Linturi would not solve the larger issue of corruption in government procurement.
Gachagua demanded transparency in the ongoing probe and called for the names of all officials involved to be made public.
He expressed concern that the fertiliser crisis was hurting ordinary farmers who depend on government support for food production.
The embattled former DP accused senior government officials of using Linturi as a political sacrificial lamb.
His remarks are likely to escalate tensions within the government, coming amid already deepening political rifts.
The government has yet to officially respond to Gachagua’s explosive claims.
https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/national/135411/gachagua-defends-linturi-accuses-ruto-of-orchestrating-fertiliser-scandal-from-state-house
