Muturi Denies Absconding Duties, Says Ruto Fired Him Over His Stand On Extrajudicial Killings

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has dismissed claims by President William Ruto that he was fired for absconding duty, instead insisting that his dismissal was linked to his position on extrajudicial killings.

Speaking during a television interview on March 31, Muturi said that on January 12, 2025, he issued a statement calling on the government to take action against the rising cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings following the Gen Z protests and criticism of the administration. He noted that his son was among the victims.

Two days later, on January 14, he recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) regarding the abduction.

Muturi further explained that there have been three Cabinet meetings this year, the first of which was held at Kakamega State Lodge on January 21.

He said that upon receiving the agenda for the meeting, he realized that it did not include discussions on abductions and extrajudicial killings, despite President Ruto’s public commitment in Homa Bay on December 27, 2024, to address the issue.

“I felt in good conscience that it would not be fitting for me to attend a Cabinet meeting that ignored such a critical issue, which goes to the core of our constitutional values and the rule of law,” Muturi said.

He added that discussing other matters while ignoring the abductions would either be insensitive or signal complicity. As a result, he decided to write to the President through the Secretary to the Cabinet, explaining his decision to skip the meeting. The letter was delivered on January 20, 2025.

Muturi said that the second Cabinet meeting, held on February 11, also lacked an agenda item on abductions and extrajudicial killings. He decided to write directly to the President, stating that he would not attend any more meetings unless the matter was formally listed for discussion and action.

“The third meeting also ignored the issue. Until now, the President has never responded to my letters,” Muturi said.

He expressed shock at Ruto’s remarks on live television, where the President claimed that the matter had been discussed and resolved in Cabinet.

Ruto Defends Muturi’s Dismissal

During a media roundtable at Sagana State Lodge on Monday, President Ruto defended his decision to fire Muturi, saying the former CS had failed to deliver in his roles.

Ruto explained that when he first appointed Muturi as Attorney General, Muturi himself admitted he might struggle in the role due to his long absence from legal practice, having served as a magistrate, MP, and National Assembly Speaker.

“He said he might get overwhelmed. It was my fault because I persuaded him to take up the role. After some time, I saw that he was indeed struggling, so I reassigned him to serve as a Cabinet Secretary,” Ruto said.

However, Ruto accused Muturi of effectively going on strike by skipping Cabinet meetings.

“You are a minister, but you are on strike—what was I supposed to do?” the President posed.

Ruto added that he strongly believes in second chances and had tried to support Muturi, whom he described as a friend and campaign ally.

“I gave my good friend Muturi a second chance, but he dismissed himself. What do you expect me to do? It is not the end of the road; he has a good pension as a former Speaker, so he will not suffer much,” Ruto said.