Ex-CS Justin Muturi claims Ruto controls Cabinet with an iron fist, stifling dissent
Muturi claimed that after his sacking, many Cabinet Secretaries are too afraid to associate with him, speak freely, or even answer his calls, fearing reprisals from the President.
Details have emerged of how President William Ruto allegedly controls his Cabinet by instilling fear among his ministers, with former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi accusing the head of state of ruling with an iron fist and suppressing dissent.
In an interview aired on NTV’s Fixing the Nation on Friday morning, Muturi claimed that many Cabinet Secretaries are too afraid to associate with him, speak freely, or even answer his calls, fearing reprisals from the President.
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“Many of them are very timid. They would not want to speak. In fact, some of them don’t want to pick up my calls, even on WhatsApp. They are too scared that they may be found to have spoken to me,” Muturi said.
“I know others who are telling me, ‘Please get somebody to call on your behalf so we can talk through them’… What does that tell you? Ruto has instilled such fear in his entire Cabinet that people don’t want to speak.”
He further revealed that some CSs have urged him to use intermediaries to communicate with them, an indication, he says, of the level of control the President exercises over his ministers.
Muturi, who previously served as Attorney General before being moved to the Public Service docket, likened President Ruto’s leadership style to that of the late President Daniel Moi, saying he uses both verbal and non-verbal tactics to suppress dissent in the Cabinet.
Ruto's two personalities
“With the experience I’ve gained from working with President Ruto, which was my desire, after serving as Speaker for 10 years, MP for two terms, I wanted to serve in the national executive. I think Ruto is a person with two personalities. The one who presents himself to the public is a completely different character from the one who sits behind in the office and crafts stuff, and that person is quite a dangerous character,” he claimed.
“Ruto is a true example of Daniel Moi, no wonder he campaigned against the current Constitution because I think he enjoys a situation where we can go to an imperial presidency. He has disdain for institutions, and that is why he wants to push everything even in Cabinet,” Muturi said.
The former CS said that in projects where the President has a personal stake, he dominates discussions and uses fear to ensure everyone aligns with his position.
“If you want to know where he has an interest, a CS will make a presentation, and then Ruto will take over and begin to explain, to make sure there is no dissent. He will start instilling fear slowly, saying, ‘You know, no coming late’…”
No honest discussions
Muturi said Cabinet meetings have become difficult spaces for honest discussions, with members forced to read the President’s body language rather than speak their minds.
“Before Ruto, you just have to know he has expressed this position and he is looking at you, making suggestions…the look he gives you tells you that in this one, you have no options. He is holding the Cabinet hostage,” he said.
He further noted that ministers now prefer attending committee meetings chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, where they feel freer to contribute.
“Today, in Cabinet, he makes it impossible to have a meaningful conversation. In fact, people enjoy going to Cabinet committee meetings chaired by the DP (Rigathi and Kindiki) because they can share their ideas and speak their mind,” he said.
Muturi’s remarks offer a rare insider account of the inner workings of Ruto’s Cabinet, raising questions about the state of internal democracy and freedom of expression within the top ranks of government.
Mentoring Ruku
The fired CS further affirmed that he harbours no ill feelings towards his successor, Geoffrey Ruku, insisting that he played a key role in mentoring Ruku throughout his political career.
He noted that he had no issues with the appointment of Ruku, the Mbeere North MP, as his replacement in the Public Service docket by President Ruto.
“I have no problem with Ruku. I’m the one who brought him up,” Muturi said when asked how he felt about the Mbeere North MP’s ascension to the position.
Ruto dismissed Muturi on March 26 and appointed Ruku to take over the Public Service docket.
Reflecting on their long-standing relationship, Muturi revealed that Ruku’s political journey began during his university days, and he even contested for a councillor position after graduating.
“Throughout that period, I’ve known him. He was a bit aggressive back then, but I think he was just scared,” Muturi recalled.
Muturi further explained that it was President Ruto who initially introduced Ruku to him, as the President did not want Ruku to challenge the then-MP Charles Njagagua in the region.
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