The simmering tensions within President William Ruto’s administration have escalated, with opposition MPs joining the growing calls for Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi to resign. The turmoil follows Muturi’s explosive claims that his son, Leslie, was abducted by state agents, deepening the cracks in the broad-based government.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed led the opposition charge, accusing Muturi of stoking unnecessary discord. Speaking during a special session on Thursday, Junet called for the CS to step down, citing a lack of alignment with government policies. “If you no longer believe in what the government is doing, just resign. You are not welded there like a tumour or an iron bar,” Junet remarked.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah echoed these sentiments, suggesting Muturi’s grievances stemmed from his reassignment to the Public Service docket during the recent Cabinet reshuffle. “If any Cabinet Secretary feels dissatisfied with their reassignment by the President, the honourable thing to do is resign,” Ichung’wah asserted.
Muturi, a former Attorney General, has been under fire since revealing that it took President Ruto’s direct intervention for the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to release his son. Muturi accused NIS Director Noordin Haji of orchestrating the abduction, a claim that has ruffled feathers within government and beyond.
Muturi’s allegations point to a potential fracture between him and President Ruto. While recording a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations earlier this week, Muturi described how his attempts to secure his son’s release through official channels were thwarted. Ultimately, he sought Ruto’s help, leading to a phone call to Haji from State House that resulted in Leslie’s release.
The government has vehemently denied involvement in the recent wave of abductions, a contentious issue Muturi says needs urgent national dialogue. However, his public stance has alienated allies, with both opposition and ruling coalition MPs viewing his revelations as a sign of dissent.
The political fallout underscores the challenges of maintaining cohesion in a coalition government marked by competing interests. As calls for his resignation mount, Muturi’s fate hangs in the balance, with his outburst amplifying questions about accountability, security, and loyalty within the Ruto administration.
