CS Muturi under fire over abduction remarks as MPs threaten impeachment

Members of the National Assembly have threatened to table an impeachment motion against Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi after he accused National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji of being the “abductor-in-chief.”

In a special sitting on Thursday, the MPs called for the resignation of Muturi, accusing him of inciting the public against the government.

The legislators alleged that Muturi’s controversial statements were motivated by his dissatisfaction following a perceived demotion within the Cabinet.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah expressed disappointment over the Cabinet Secretary’s conduct saying MPs will not waste time impeaching cabinet secretaries anymore.

He noted that MPs will only oversight their work but not participate in impeaching them.

“It is sad that some CSs are now playing to the public gallery, exciting emotions on the basis of ethnicity and regions they come from,” said Ichung’wah.

He called on appointed leaders who weren't comfortable working with the government in their respective offices to resign.

“The honourable thing for a CS who feels they have failed in their job or are too big for the current job they hold is to resign; they should not waste our time and that of President William Ruto. If your motivation is extortion and deals in government, maybe you will find that this particular state department is better than the other ministry,” he said.

Minority Leader Junet Mohamed also weighed in, stating, “If my son is arrested, I should also tell the country why he was arrested. Why wait for seven months to say those things?”

Reduced influence

The MPs claimed Muturi’s actions were a response to his reduced influence in government.

Junet Mohamed added, “Nothing stops us from bringing an impeachment motion against you.”

Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi, in a thinly veiled comparison, likened Muturi’s behaviour to that of a former deputy president.

“There is a chief in Mathira who was inciting Kenyans and was fired,” he said.

Muturi has faced intense scrutiny this week after publicly alleging that NIS boss Noordin Haji was linked to abductions, including the disappearance of his son, Leslie Muturi, during the Gen Z-led protests.

Under Article 152(6)-(10) of the Constitution of Kenya, a Cabinet Secretary can be impeached for gross violation of the law, gross misconduct, incompetence, or physical or mental incapacity. The process begins with a motion supported by at least one-third of the National Assembly.

If the motion is approved, the matter is referred to a parliamentary committee for investigation. The Cabinet Secretary is given a chance to defend themselves, after which the findings are debated.

If the motion gains majority support in the National Assembly, it is sent to the Senate, which also investigates and votes on the matter. If the Senate upholds the charges by a majority vote, the Cabinet Secretary is removed from office.

The MPs are now on recess, with sittings expected to resume next month, when they may pursue the impeachment motion against Muturi.