Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithaka Linturi has officially tendered his resignation from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, Linturi revealed that he can no longer be associated with a party that allegedly condones forced disappearances, graft, and overtaxing Kenyans.
According to the former CS, the ruling party has failed to live up to its philosophy, mandate, mission, values, and objectives, negating its moral authority to bear the name of a political party.
The former CS blamed the party for failing its mandate for the past two years. He argues that UDA has shown total contempt for the people and the Republic of Kenya.
''I do not wish, nor would I ever wish that any Kenyan would belong to a Party that is repugnant of its philosophy, a party that tolerates graft, forced disappearances and brutal execution of our young people, overtaxes Kenyans, a party that has no respect for women and children, does not respect the Constitution and the rule of law and a party that does not listen to the people,'' Linturi wrote.
''It is in this realisation that I, Mithika Linturi, a patriotic Kenyan, tender my resignation as a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) with immediate effect,'' he continued.
His resignation ends his three-year term in the party, which he joined in February 2022 when he announced his bid for the Meru gubernatorial race under the party’s ticket.
He, however, did not win the gubernatorial seat after losing it to Kawira Mwangaza. Mwangaza was, however, impeached.
Although he could not scoop the seat, he landed the Agricultural docket, which he lost in May 2024 after he was embroiled in the fertiliser scandal.
Linturi joins former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who tendered his resignation from the ruling party on Tuesday, May 13.
“The party has exhausted and wasted a Kenyan moment to take off economically, socially and politically,” Gachagua wrote, highlighting his belief that the party has failed to deliver on its promises.
Gachagua's resignation came amid growing speculation over his political future.
He is set to officially launch a new party on Thursday, May 15.
