Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has stated how William Ruto was already a well-known and influential figure during the Moi era.

Speaking on Monday, August 11, 2025, Muturi shared on a local radio station about their long political journey together and Ruto’s powerful role in Kenyan politics from early on.

Muturi said, “Imekuwa safari ndefu, ata kabla tujiunge pamoja mimi na rais Ruto. Hapo mbeleni unajua tulikuwa naye katika chama cha KANU, tukiwa wabunge, yeye akiwa waziri mdogo, wakati wa mzee Moi, lakini ambaye alikuwa na ushawishi mkubwa kwa sababu alikuwa mdani sana wa rais Moi.”

Translation: It has been a long journey, even before President Ruto and I came together. Back then, we were both in the KANU party as Members of Parliament, with him serving as an assistant minister during President Moi’s time. However, he had great influence because he was very close to President Moi.

He added:

“Mpaka ikawa kule Mbugeni watu ata wakipewa majibu maswali wakijibiwa na waziri ambaye alikuwa ni mkubwa yake, watu walikuwa bado wako na tashwishi mpaka wapewe jibu na William Ruto. Kwa sababu alikuwa na ushawishi mkubwa sana.”

Translation: It got to the point in Mbugeni where people, even when given answers by a minister senior to him, remained concerned until William Ruto himself responded. This was because he held significant influence.

The 2002 campaign

Muturi also recalled their political partnership during the 2002 Uhuru Kenyatta campaign.

“Ikaja mwaka wa elfu mbili na mbili tukawa pamoja na yeye kufanyia Uhuru campaign ambapo tulishindwa na Mwai Kibaki, tukarudi Mbugeni tena, mimi nikawa kiranja wa upinzani kutoka 2003 mpaka 2007, bado tukiwa pamoja, ata wakati wa chungwa na ndizi.”

Translation: In 2002, we were together supporting Uhuru’s campaign, although we lost to Mwai Kibaki. We returned to Parliament, and I served as opposition chief whip from 2003 to 2007, still working closely together, even during banana and orange times.

Despite this long history of cooperation, their relationship has since soured. In March 2025, President Ruto dismissed Muturi from his Cabinet position following public disagreements, especially after Muturi criticised the government over the abductions and killings of young protesters. Ruto described Muturi as “fairly incompetent,” but Muturi defended his actions as fulfilling his responsibilities as a public servant.