Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has pledged to embrace public criticism positively as a means to improve service delivery.

Muturi made the remarks during his handover session, which saw outgoing CS Moses Kuria in attendance.

Muturi on criticism

Muturi emphasised that constructive criticism is a tool for personal and professional growth. He encouraged members of the public service to welcome suggestions and feedback as opportunities for improvement.

“Criticism is a sign of a good friend who wants to see you improve. I welcome it as a tool for growth. As public servants, we face criticism daily, but we must not let it dishearten us. Instead, we should reflect on the feedback and consider how we can use it to do better,” he said.

Muturi, who previously served as the Attorney General and as the Speaker of the National Assembly, also highlighted the importance of perseverance in public service.

“Let us continue to serve the people with dedication and utilise all knowledge and information to better our performance,” he urged.

Born in Kanyuambora in Mbeere North, Muturi’s career in law began at the University of Nairobi, where he earned his degree in 1981.

After completing his postgraduate diploma at the Kenya School of Law, he was admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 1982.

He has a distinguished history in public service, having first entered Parliament in 1999 and served as Speaker from 2013 to 2022.

He was the first Speaker to serve after the reestablishment of a bicameral Parliament by the 2010 Constitution. In March 2013, Muturi won the speakership in a second round of voting, defeating former Speaker Kenneth Marende with a 219–129 margin.

Muturi in parliament

Muturi first entered Parliament as a member of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), representing Siakago Constituency in a 1999 by-election following the death of MP Silas Ita.

He was re-elected in 2002, serving as Opposition Chief Whip and Chair of the Public Investment Committee during the 10th Parliament.