Former Attorney General Justin Muturi is on his way to charting his own political path after recently being sacked as the Public Services Cabinet Secretary.

Muturi transitions from wielding great authority to navigating political obscurity.

The ousted minister, who was formerly a prominent member of the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration, now lives a life away from the corridors of power and only makes appearances at news conferences and media interviews.

Muturi maintains he was sacked from the Cabinet for asking President William Ruto to address the recent wave of abductions and extrajudicial killings.

Early this year, Muturi alleged the country’s national intelligence agency was behind the abduction of his son last year, amid rising cases of abductions.

He claimed it took a call by the President to have his son released by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Son’s abduction

Muturi is the first member of the Cabinet to publicly criticise the Kenya Kwanza government’s handling of the spate of abductions.
Meanwhile, Ruto said he sacked Muturi because he was incompetent and didn’t understand his role well.

Speaking during a media interview on Monday evening at the Sagana State Lodge, the Head of State said Muturi was dismissed after he absconded his duty, missing three scheduled Cabinet meetings. But Muturi insists that it was his speaking on abductions that cost him the Cabinet job.

“To date, no one has ever denied any of the contents I recorded with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which is the material evidence should there be a judicial process,” said Muturi.

Muturi insists if the goal was to silence him following his sacking from Cabinet, then “unfortunately, they have dialed the wrong number” because he will not tire fighting for the rights of the people of Kenya no matter what it costs.

Muturi says the issue that the president has raised of competence or incompetence, is a side issue.

“He (Ruto) is trying to divert attention from this innuendo issue of abductions and extra-judicial killings. I am compiling a report to address that issue, but it is not for me to defend myself on that accusation,” added Muturi.

Meanwhile, following his ouster from Cabinet, sources told PD Wikendi that Muturi was likely to join former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s camp who was impeached late last year.

“Muturi is only waiting for the former DP to launch his own political party so that he can jump on it. He is likely to vie for the Embu gubernatorial or senatorial seats in the 2027 elections,” said a source privy to the matter.

Muturi has previously downplayed his next political move should he leave the ruling Kenya Kwanza government.

“I don’t want to make any comments; I want Kenyans to make their own inferences. Is it good for the country? Is it going to bring unity? Kenyans are at liberty to make judgments; it is not up to me to make a judgment. Let Kenyans decide on that. Let Kenyans speak,” Muturi recently said.

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, a close ally of Muturi dismissed the president’s claims while questioning his intention to replace the sacked CS with Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku.

“All two are our sons, and they are people we highly respect. But you (Ruto), you should withdraw all the accusations against Muturi and tell us in an honest way about his shortcomings,” stated Mukunji.

Incompetent CS?

Mukunji observed that Muturi is a performer if his track record in the public service is anything to go by.

“Muturi has served as the National Assembly Speaker for 10 years. You can’t convince me Mr. Excellency that Muturi is incompetent unless your level of measure of incompetence is unknown,” added Mukunji.

Former Amani National Congress (ANC) Uasin Gishu County branch chairman Saina Nechu said Muturi seems to have earned firsts in all dockets he served, but in reverse.

“As the Speaker of the National Assembly, Muturi came out as an inept rubberstamp of state decisions, bordering on legislative dictatorship. When his later employer President Ruto calls him incompetent, those who have been around long enough tend to agree,” said Saina.

This even as it emerged that Muturi’s political muscle in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region will be tested during the forthcoming Mbeere North by-election.

“Muturi, just like some of his colleagues from the mountain who have fallen out with the government of the day is comfortably moving to the opposition in readiness for an onslaught on the Presidency in 2027,” said Saina.

According to Saina, any leader from the mountainous region who is still warming up to President Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza government is headed to political oblivion.

“It appears that anyone siding with Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government from that side of the world is digging his/her political grave. And Muturi’s extensive experience in government and politics dictates that he reinvents himself away from President Ruto,” added Saina.

Jesse Tetei – ANC 2022 candidate for the Idakho East Ward in Kakamega County—said Muturi is a “free agent” ready to join hands with those opposing the government.

“It’s always impossible to criticise the government while serving the same government; however, Muturi’s “end to abduction calls” has given him an edge even as he now focuses on opposing the same government that he has been serving,” said Tetei.

According to Tetei, the decision by Muturi to withdraw his Democratic Party (DP) from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition is a clear indication that he is ready to join like-minded leaders in taking on President Ruto’s administration head-on.

“It should be noted that Muturi has been the longest person holding a powerful position in this country from his community, and his ouster from Cabinet will greatly dent President Ruto’s efforts of control of the Mt. Kenya region. He is possibly joining the former president Rigathi Gachagua; this is a force that should not be wished away or ignored,” Tetei added.

Meanwhile, as the country looks forward to Muturi’s next political move, he has vowed to present before Kenyans a scorecard of all he did while in government.

“I want to let Kenyans judge me. But I will not allow such side shows to distract or divert me from addressing this issue of abductions,” he explained.