Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi was conspicuously absent from Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting at the Kakamega State Lodge, fueling speculation over growing tensions between him and the government. The meeting, chaired by President William Ruto, brought together 22 other Cabinet Secretaries, but Muturi’s no-show has deepened the ongoing standoff regarding a spate of abductions that shook the nation in December 2024.
Muturi’s absence comes in the wake of his public criticism of national security agencies for their handling of the abduction crisis, including the personal ordeal he faced when his son was abducted in June 2024. Speaking about the incident, Muturi expressed frustration, stating that no satisfactory explanation had been provided regarding his son’s disappearance and subsequent detention.
“I have personally suffered as my son was abducted, leaving my family in turmoil,” said Muturi. “I’ve not gotten any answers as to why my son was abducted, held incommunicado, and nobody gave any reasons for that abduction.”
Muturi’s outburst has sparked backlash from political leaders aligned with the government. Among the critics is National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro, who has called for Muturi to apologize to President Ruto or face impeachment. Osoro accused the CS of undermining the government and challenging its authority.
However, Muturi has remained defiant, dismissing threats from what he termed as “inexperienced politicians.” In a bold retort, he stated, “I will just say bring it on. At my age, I’m not the kind of person to respond to some perfunctory statements made by fairly inexperienced politicians. I think they’re not worthy of my response. So if anybody thinks that I don’t know what I was doing, they’re up for a rude shock.”
The Cabinet Secretary’s remarks have ignited a political storm, with some observers interpreting his statements as a direct challenge to the administration’s authority. His absence from the Cabinet meeting underscores the gravity of the situation, as it is rare for such meetings to be skipped without a valid explanation.
As tensions simmer, the standoff highlights the delicate balance within the Cabinet and raises questions about the administration’s response to security concerns. Whether the feud will escalate into an impeachment process remains to be seen, but the situation is undoubtedly a test of the government’s internal cohesion and its ability to address the abduction crisis effectively.
