Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Chairman Ndiritu Muriithi has defended his decision to join President William Ruto’s government despite being a former critic of the administration. His move, which has drawn mixed reactions from the political landscape, highlights a broader trend of political realignments in Kenya.
Muriithi, a key figure in the Azimio la Umoja coalition, stated that he joined the government out of a sense of responsibility rather than political expediency. Speaking on Citizen TV, he emphasized that sitting on the sidelines and criticizing is not a viable solution when the country is facing challenges.
“I take the view that when the republic is having difficulties, as a leader, I don’t think we have the luxury to stand aside and say we saw things going wrong. We have to step forward and offer service to the republic in this time of need. We cannot sit by and simply criticize,” Muriithi said.
His decision, he revealed, was not solely personal but was also influenced by high-level discussions involving President Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. These discussions, he noted, were instrumental in his shift to the government side.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been part of those conversations. I joined after conversations between the Party leader of Azimio and the President but of course, at a personal level, I joined out of my own conviction,” he added.
Muriithi’s move reflects a broader trend within Kenyan politics, where opposition figures often integrate into government as part of political restructuring. He noted that this is not an unprecedented occurrence, citing former President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, which similarly saw opposition members joining government due to changing political circumstances.
“The President has been reconstituting government over the last several months. That reconstitution has involved bringing into government those of us who were part of the opposition. Our colleagues joined the government and in more recent times I and several other colleagues have joined the government,” he explained.
This realignment underscores Ruto’s broader strategy of fostering inclusivity within his administration by bringing in opposition figures. It also signals a shift in Kenya’s political landscape, where traditional party lines are becoming increasingly fluid.
As the political environment continues to evolve, Muriithi’s decision exemplifies the balancing act many leaders must perform between loyalty to their political affiliations and their perceived duty to the nation. Whether this move strengthens the government’s effectiveness or weakens opposition oversight remains to be seen, but it is undeniably a significant political development.
