Ruto hints at plans to bring back Linturi and Munya to govt
President William Ruto has hinted at considering former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and his predecessor, Peter Munya, for state appointments.
Speaking in Maua, Meru Town, during his ongoing Mt. Kenya tour, the head of state announced that he was in talks with the two leaders and further confirmed that plans were already in place for their accommodation.
Ruto, who did not immediately disclose the nature of their conversations, assured Meru residents not to worry over Linturi and Munya, as he was at an advanced stage of sorting them out.
“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 bali mambo iko sawa,” Ruto stated.
Which loosely translates to: “Last thing, he has explained to me (referring to John Paul Mwirigi) that there are two elders in this area, Peter Munya and my friend Frankline Mithika Linturi. These two leaders are in talks with me and we a plan. So you just relax, everything is fine.”
Linturi stint as CS
Linturi was among the Mt Kenya political leaders who were awarded state appointments after Ruto won the 2022 general election. He was picked to lead the agricultural sector.
His stint, however, was marred by controversies, including the fake fertiliser scandal, where farmers countrywide lamented receiving substandard subsidised product.
The fake fertiliser scandal almost ended his tenure as Cabinet Secretary as MPs saved him after an impeachment motion was tabled by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka.
He, however, lost his job after Ruto sent home his entire cabinet at the height of Gen-Z-led protests in 2024 over the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
Linturi has since remained in the cold despite Ruto making various changes in various ranks of government.
Peter Munya
On the other hand, Munya served as cabinet secretary in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
During the 2022 campaigns, he pledged support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who lost to Ruto.
After the loss, he continued being aligned to the opposition until Raila signed a joint agreement with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
