Former CS Linturi Hits Out at Ruto Over Lack of Inclusivity in His Recent Appointments

Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has criticised President William Ruto’s administration over ‘unfair’ appointments to government.

Speaking on Sunday, December 22, during a church service in Meru County, Linturi accused the Head of State of lack of inclusivity after recently nominating more people for cabinet secretary positions.

In particular, Linturi faulted President Ruto for excluding the Meru community in the recent nominations despite overwhelmingly voting for him in the 2022 general elections.

According to the former CS, despite more than 800,000 Meru residents voting for Ruto, the Head of State was yet to reward them for their immense support.

“We are tired of being taken for granted and treated as second fiddle. We are very important people. Our 800,000 votes must count, and we are now wiser than before. We were lied to, and we felt the effects,” Linturi said.

“The people of Meru must be respected. We are tired of being contemptuously looked down upon. We have been sidelined as if we hold no value in this country,” he added.

Addressing the congregation, the former CS also criticised the current administration for what he termed a culture of deceit, adding that Kenyans were now more astute than before.

While venting his frustrations over being excluded from the current regime, the former Senator expressed regret for failing to secure a formal agreement with Ruto to ensure the inclusion of the Meru people in government.

“We have now become more knowledgeable and discerning. Moving forward, we have learnt from our past mistakes. Now that we are informed, we will not repeat them, and I want this to be clear,” Linturi remarked.

“At present, appointments are being made, yet we are nowhere to be seen. Respect for the people of Meru must be restored, and we shall work tirelessly to reclaim the dignity of the Meru people.”

Linturi’s comments come barely a week after Ruto made additional nominations to various government positions. Among those nominated were former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, William Kabogo, Lee Kinyanjui, and Ndiritu Muriithi.

In a press release dated December 20, the president nominated Mutahi Kagwe, Lee Kinyanjui and William Kabogo to the cabinet positions. The trio were nominated as cabinet secretaries for Agriculture, Trade and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) respectively.

Additionally, former Trade Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya was nominated as CS for Sports while Ndiritu Muriithi was appointed as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) chairperson.