Ruto sacks Justin Muturi as CS, nominates MP Ruku to replace him
Mutur has served in the ministry since September 2024.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has been fired as President William Ruto made changes to his Cabinet.
The decision comes just a day after Ruto publicly criticised Muturi, referring to him as “incompetent” during his time as Attorney General.
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"His Excellency the president has today instituted further changes to the senior ranks of the executives within Cabinet. By the presidential action, the Cabinet is set to achieve its constitutional full strength," read a statement on the latest changes signed by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei on Wednesday.
For the first time, Ruto openly showed his differences with Muturi on Tuesday.
Speaking at a state Iftar dinner, the President described the former AG as “fairly incompetent” in handling legal matters related to the Waqf, an endowment made by Muslims for religious, educational or charitable causes.
“I had a problem with the AG who was there before; he was fairly incompetent. But now, I have a very competent lady in the position, and I can assure you that the issues of Waqf will be sorted out within months,” Ruto said.
His remarks were in response to concerns raised by Muslim leaders over delays in effecting the endowment fund despite the existence of the Waqf Act (2022).
Muturi swiftly responded, arguing that the law does not provide for the creation of a Muslim endowment fund.
“Under the Waqf Act no.8 of 2022, there’s no provision for a ‘Muslim Endowment Fund.’ It must be understood that a Waqf is a religious, charitable or benevolent endowment by a person who professes the Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission,” he stated.
Muturi’s isolation in Cabinet
Muturi had increasingly found himself at odds with the government in recent months, particularly after criticising the handling of abductions in the country.
Since January, he has spoken out about enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, calling for accountability.
He also revealed that he had formally sought permission to skip Cabinet meetings until the issue was addressed.
“Attending Cabinet meetings is mandatory unless one has permission from the President, which is what I sought,” Muturi said on Citizen TV, emphasising that his absence was not defiance but a formal request.
The Former CS had not attended any Cabinet meetings since January, the same month his son, Lesly Muturi, was kidnapped.
Following the abduction, Muturi said he met with Ruto, who then contacted National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Noordin Haji, leading to his son’s release.
Despite speculation about his position in government, Muturi has dismissed claims that he planned to resign. He insisted that he remains in government because of his role in the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“I’m still in government because I’m in that coalition and secondly, I participated actively in campaigning for Kenya Kwanza in the 2022 General Elections, and therefore I’m perfectly in my right to be in government,” he said.
Muturi was the first Attorney General under the Kenya Kwanza administration before being moved to the Public Service docket.
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