Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has stated that he will not accompany President William Ruto on his planned tour of the Mt. Kenya region. He emphasized that it is not his practice to follow the president on tours, adding that even during the tenure of the previous administration, he did not make a habit of accompanying the head of state.
“I don’t just follow the president… Even when the former president was in office and I was the speaker, it was never my habit or practice to follow him wherever he went,” he said.
Speaking after a meeting with Kikuyu elders in Kiambu, Muturi clarified that he would only join the president’s visit if it directly related to his ministerial responsibilities.
The Cabinet Secretary has been an outspoken critic of the government and has even skipped Cabinet meetings. In a recent interview, he revealed that he formally requested the president to excuse him from attending these meetings until the issue of abductions and extrajudicial killings is prioritized for discussion.
“Attending Cabinet meetings is mandatory unless one has permission from the President, which is what I sought,” Muturi stated. He insisted that his decision should not be interpreted as insubordination, as he had formally written to the Cabinet chair seeking exemption from the meetings.
Muturi has not attended any Cabinet meetings since publicly criticizing the government over the issue of abductions. His stance on the matter became even more personal when his son, Lesly Muturi, was kidnapped while in the company of friends, including a Member of Parliament.
Following his son’s abduction, Muturi sought an audience with the President, who then contacted the National Intelligence Service Director, leading to Lesly’s release. This experience reinforced his concerns regarding the security situation in the country and further strengthened his resolve to advocate for urgent government intervention on the matter.
Muturi’s decision to distance himself from government tours and Cabinet meetings highlights his growing dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the administration. His firm stance on security and human rights issues continues to set him apart, positioning him as a vocal advocate for change within the government.
As discussions on security concerns persist, it remains to be seen how the government will address the matters raised and whether Muturi will reconsider his position in the future.
