Former CJ Willy Mutunga calls for national debate to change law on CS appointments

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga. He has called for a national discussion on the criteria used to appoint Cabinet Secretaries. (Photo: X/Willy Mutunga)

By Barack Oduor
Thursday, March 27, 2025

Reacting to Ruto’s latest appointments, Mutunga argued that the criteria for the appointment of CSs now, and in the past governments, have always been “as clear as mud”

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has poked holes into President William Ruto’s Cabinet appointments, suggesting that a national debate on the criteria of appointing Cabinet Secretaries should be instituted immediately.

Mutunga, an avid human rights activist, has been critical of Ruto’s administration, belittling it over what he terms as a poor governance record and blatant disrespect for human rights.

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In an interview with The Eastleigh Voice, Mutunga, while reacting to Ruto’s latest appointments, argued that the criteria for the appointment of CSs now, and in the past governments, have always been “as clear as mud”, a situation that is confusing and hard to grasp.

“I mean by that quote that we don’t know the criteria used for such appointments and we should have such a national debate on the issue as part of the constitutional value and principle of participation of the people,” said Mutunga.

Ruto made fresh changes in his Cabinet on Wednesday where the top government’s decision-making organ got new members while one was sent packing.

Ruto’s choice of Cabinet Secretaries has raised debate on whether he prefers loyalty over competence, or both.

In the latest Cabinet changes announced Wednesday, CS Aden Duale was moved to the Health docket while Deborah Barasa now becomes Environment CS.

President Ruto also nominated Hanna Wendot Cheptumo as Gender Cabinet Secretary. She is the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo who died in February this year.

Cheptumo and Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku who has been nominated the CS for Public Service, will now face MPs for vetting and if successful, will be the latest entrants into the ever-changing Ruto Cabinet.

After his transfer to the Health docket, Duale said his priority will be to advance the Universal Health Coverage programme to ensure equitable healthcare access to all.

Unlike other former CJs who have shied away from public discourses, Mutunga’s foray into the governance of the country has earned him teargas and criticism from police and members of the Ruto administration, respectively, who view him as a meddler.

In January this year, he said the President is abetting dictatorship and urged Kenyans to prepare to vote him out in the next election.

Mutunga, who expressed his displeasure over the manner in which abductees critical of the government were released by their captors, claimed that the government can no longer guarantee the security of Kenyans.

"We have a state that doesn't guarantee our security. Expecting a government that is accountable and transparent means Kenya must struggle for an alternative political leadership that loves its people, doesn't kill them, abduct them, or carry out false arrests and prosecutions," said Mutunga.

He has urged Kenyans to root for an alternative leadership that is solely focused on our national interests.

"Such leadership must also have a vision of a region, continent, and a planet we wish to see. A world that puts profits before people must be overthrown. Kenyans must banish the politics of division along with its ethnic barons," he said.