A major rift is emerging within President William Ruto’s Cabinet, with Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi at the center of controversy.
Muturi has emerged as the only government official openly criticizing the administration’s failure to stop the rising cases of kidnappings and killings across the country.
His remarks have sparked outrage among ruling party politicians, with Environment CS Aden Duale and several UDA members calling for his resignation.
Muturi has not held back in expressing his concerns, urging President Ruto to act decisively before the situation worsens.
He warned that the government’s failure to address these abductions could harm the country’s credibility both locally and internationally.
However, his decision to speak out has made him a political target, as his colleagues accuse him of undermining the very government he serves.
Aden Duale, a close ally of the president, did not mince his words when addressing Muturi’s stance.
“So, I really want to tell our colleagues, and we must respect, and if you are very unhappy and you are a CS, the best thing for you to do is to resign,” Duale stated.
His remarks were echoed by Kipkelion East MP Joseph Cherorot, who accused Muturi of attacking the government that appointed him. “Tunaona Muturi anatupiga sana, anapiga serikali ambayo anakulia. My advice to you, just resign and leave us alone na asivuruge wenzetu,” he said.
The pressure on Muturi has been evident, with calls for his resignation growing louder even in his home region.
During a visit to Mandera County, ruling-party MPs demanded that he step down.
Duale repeated his call in Garissa, further isolating Muturi from his Cabinet colleagues. The coordinated attacks suggest that UDA leaders see Muturi’s outspokenness as a direct challenge to President Ruto’s authority.Despite the backlash, Muturi has remained firm.
On Friday, he visited Nairobi Funeral Home, where the body of one of the Mlolongo Four was found. These were individuals who went missing in December 2024, adding to the growing number of enforced disappearances in the country.
Speaking at the funeral home, Muturi once again urged the president to act, saying the rising cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings could no longer be ignored.
Since June 2024, Kenya has witnessed an alarming increase in enforced disappearances, a trend that human rights groups have repeatedly condemned.
Muturi’s willingness to address the issue has made him a rare voice of dissent in Ruto’s Cabinet. However, it has also put him at risk politically, as his critics push for his removal.
The situation raises questions about the space for independent thought within the government.
Is Muturi merely voicing legitimate concerns, or is he out of step with his colleagues? For now, the battle lines have been drawn, and the pressure on him is unlikely to ease anytime soon.
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