Makueni County Senator Dan Maanzo has criticized President William Ruto’s decision to nominate Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku as the new Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes.

If Parliament gives the green light, Ruku will be stepping into the shoes of Justin Muturi, who was fired.

Speaking during an interview with a local television station on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Maanzo expressed his reservations about the appointment, arguing that it was a political miscalculation by Ruto.

According to the senator, the nomination of Ruku could spell the end of his political career. Maanzo pointed out that Ruku was a protégé of Justin Muturi, who had played a role in his rise within the political sphere.

“President Ruto has destroyed Geoffrey Ruku’s political career. Ruku was a creation of Muturi and sponsored by his party. Now that he has become a cabinet secretary, I can assure you he will never be reelected because Ruto’s regime will soon come to an end,” Maanzo stated.

The senator further emphasized that Muturi was a seasoned leader who had significantly contributed to the country’s governance. Having served as the Speaker of the National Assembly for ten years, Muturi was a key figure in national politics. Maanzo noted that as the Attorney General, Muturi’s legal counsel was often disregarded by the executive, suggesting that his removal was politically motivated.

Mt. Kenya visit

Maanzo also dismissed President Ruto’s upcoming visit to the Mount Kenya region, arguing that it was a futile political exercise rather than a genuine effort to address development issues.

“President Ruto has made a serious blunder; his visit to the Mt. Kenya region is a waste of time and resources. All Ruto wants is to campaign for reelection in 2027, rather than prioritizing the country’s development,” he added.

Muturi’s dismissal from the cabinet comes in the wake of his public criticism of the government’s handling of abductions and killings of Gen Z protesters, including his son. This has fueled speculation that his removal was influenced by his outspoken stance against the administration’s approach to civil unrest.

Meanwhile, Ruku’s appointment is seen as a strategic move by President Ruto to consolidate his support in the Mount Kenya region, where discontent has been growing over unfulfilled government promises. A first-term MP and a staunch ally of the president, Ruku has been instrumental in rallying political support for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, effectively sidelining former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

As President Ruto prepares for his first visit to the region since Gachagua’s impeachment, analysts suggest that Ruku’s appointment is meant to strengthen the president’s influence in Mount Kenya. The visit is expected to be a crucial moment for Ruto as he seeks to realign his political alliances and address grievances over stalled development projects.