Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has criticized President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of sidelining the Meru community in political appointments and decision-making processes despite their substantial support in the 2022 general elections.
Speaking on Sunday, Linturi expressed frustration, claiming that the Meru community, which delivered over 800,000 votes to Ruto’s camp, has been overlooked in key national leadership roles.
“We are tired of being despised and sidelined. Our 800,000 votes must count. We supported them, we voted for them, but now they treat us as if we don’t matter,” Linturi said.
Linturi, who was dismissed from his Cabinet position following the GenZ protests in June, vowed to advocate for the Ameru community’s rightful place in national leadership. He emphasized the need for recognition and respect, promising to work tirelessly to restore Meru’s influence in national politics.
“We will work day and night to restore the glory of Meru. Even if they despise us, we will stand firm and demand respect,” he added.
His remarks come in the wake of a Cabinet reshuffle by President Ruto, which has been described by State House as part of efforts to optimize government performance under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The reshuffle saw several notable appointments, including former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe as the new head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, replacing Dr. Andrew Karanja, who was nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil.
Other appointees include former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui as Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.
State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei stated that the reshuffle aims to enhance service delivery and align government operations with national priorities such as food security, economic growth, and digital transformation.
