Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has strongly criticized his colleague, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, over his controversial remarks about ongoing abductions in Kenya. Duale, a prominent figure in President William Ruto’s administration, has called for Muturi’s resignation, insisting that Cabinet members should raise internal concerns within their meetings rather than airing them publicly.
Duale’s response came after Muturi suggested that the government might be involved in the rising cases of abductions, which he described as happening in broad daylight and risking pushing the country into anarchy. Muturi, a former Attorney General, recalled a personal experience when he failed to trace his son despite his efforts to involve various security agencies. He argued that the sheer scale and visibility of these abductions pointed to government complicity, prompting him to call for an inquiry into enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Kenya.
While Muturi’s remarks have sparked intense debate, Duale expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that such concerns should have been raised in a Cabinet meeting, where President Ruto regularly invites members to speak on pressing issues after formal deliberations. According to Duale, as a senior government official with direct access to the President, Muturi should have brought up these concerns in the appropriate forum to seek solutions rather than addressing them publicly.
“I will ask him to resign,” Duale declared during a Citizen TV interview on Sunday. He added that if he found himself at odds with the President’s views, he would not hesitate to step down instead of publicly challenging the administration. For Duale, such matters are best handled internally within the Cabinet to preserve the unity and effectiveness of the government.
The disagreement between the two Cabinet members highlights deeper tensions within the government, particularly on sensitive issues like security and the rule of law. Muturi’s call for an independent commission of inquiry into the abductions and killings has garnered support from some quarters, with many urging the government to address the concerns raised by citizens.
However, Duale’s stance reflects a strong commitment to preserving the cohesion of the administration, signaling that public challenges to the government’s policies may not be tolerated. As this dispute unfolds, the public and political analysts alike are keenly watching the response from President Ruto and whether any further developments will arise from this heated exchange.
