President William Ruto (right) and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The President has dismissed Public Service CS Justin Muturi after months of defiance and confrontation
President William Ruto finally dismissed Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi after months of defiance and confrontation, though the decision presents him with a fresh dilemma in the hostile Mt Kenya region.
The President replaced Mr Muturi with Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku. Mr Muturi and Mr Ruku belong to the Democratic Party (DP).
Mr Ruku is the only National Assembly lawmaker elected on a DP ticket, the party through which Mr Muturi campaigned for the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. Mr Ruku beat then-incumbent Muriuki Njagagua.
The nomination of Mr Ruku to the Cabinet has offered former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua a platform for a clash with the President in the expected by-election in the constituency that defied the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wave during the General Election in 2022.
With Mr Gachagua planning to launch a party in May, the by-election would offer an opportunity for a dress rehearsal ahead of the General Election in 2027.
“By-election pap,” said one of Mr Gachagua’s allies, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangw’a.
A billboard featuring photographs of President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi stands in Karatina Town on March 25, 2025, welcoming the President to the Mt. Kenya region.
Embu Senator, Alexander Mundigi, is the only DP lawmaker in the Senate.
He comes from Mbeere South Constituency, which is represented by an independent Nebert Muriuki. UDA won seats in the other two constituencies of Embu County – Manyatta and Runyenjes.
Mr Ruku’s appointment comes as a surprise as it was widely expected that Mr Muturi would be replaced by former Embu Senator and Siakago MP Lenny Kivuti, who is also his relative but a political rival.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (right) and Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku in his constituency on March 26, 2025.
While Public Service head Felix Koskei was communicating the Cabinet changes, Mr Ruku was with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in his constituency, inspecting progress on the Sh258 million Kanyuambora irrigation project.
“Revitalising agriculture for better productivity and higher returns for farmers requires an increase in land under irrigation,” Prof Kindiki tweeted.
The President transferred Mr Aden Duale from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to the Health docket, swapping him with Dr Deborah Barasa.
Dr Barasa has faced criticism lately, given the many grievances by healthworkers and hospitals over delayed reimbursements after treating patients under a new state-run medical scheme.
She took over a docket that was already suffering from a huge credibility deficit.
Her predecessor, Susan Nakhumicha, was dropped after anti-government demonstrations in June and July last year.
The Ministry of Health has been ravaged by negative publicity, largely due to the disaffection and failures of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
President Ruto also nominated Mrs Hanna Cheptumo as the Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary.
Mrs Cheptumo is the widow of the immediate former Baringo Senator William Cheptumo.
The National Assembly rejected the nomination of Ms Stella Langat to the docket in August 2024.
The decision to dismiss Mr Muturi came barely hours after he fired back at President William Ruto’s criticism.
Dr Ruto had accused Mr Muturi of incompetence during his tenure as Attorney General – in an escalation of their fallout that imploded when Mr Muturi accused government security agents of abducting his son.
President Ruto on Tuesday blamed Mr Muturi for the delayed creation of the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf).
“We will continue to address the issues raised, particularly those concerning education, and explore the link between religious and formal education to determine what needs to be done,” Dr Ruto said at State House when he hosted Muslims for Iftar.
“On Waqf, I agree with you. It has taken too long. There is no reason for the delay, and I had a problem with the AG who was there. He was fairly incompetent, but now I have a competent lady. I can assure you the issues of Waqf will be sorted out.”
Mr Muturi termed the remarks as cheap talk meant to please those at State House.
“Under the Waqf Act no.8 of 2022, there’s no provision for a Muslim Endowment Fund. It must be understood that waqf is a religious, charitable or benevolent endowment by a person who professes Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission,” Mr Muturi said.
Achievements listed
He shared with the Daily Nation notes detailing events on the recruitment of Waqf commissioners.
Mr Muturi said his office appointed the Waqf Commissioners Selection Panel on July 12, 2023, before writing to the National Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to seek a budget for the team as well as the allowances to be paid.
He added that the Waqf Commission Selection Panel held its first meeting on April 18, 2024.
“On June 11, 2024, the Attorney General runs the advertisement on behalf of the Selection Panel for Waqf commissioners calling for suitable candidates for the position of members...to apply, the deadline being July 1, 2024,” state the notes shared by Mr Muturi.
He added that Dr Ruto dissolved the Cabinet on July 11, 2024, as the shortlisting was going on.
“The new Attorney General takes over on August 21, 2024, and never moves the process forward,” the notes say.
“On October 17, 2024, the chairperson of the Waqf Selection Panel, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, sought an audience with the current Attorney-General to progress the matter, but it continues to stall.”
He listed his achievements as AG, including saving the government Sh17.5 billion in legal claims through court defences. He also listed 708 legal advisories on bilateral and international law matters.
On Wednesday, Mr Muturi declined to respond to the latest developments. In a past interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Muturi gave an account of how he became a victim of a lynch mob in the government following a heckling incident in Embu.
Mr Muturi said he became a subject of attack by state mandarins, with some accusing him of being part of the conspiracy to have President Ruto’s message rejected by mourners on January 3.
The CS was shouted down by mourners as he prepared to read Dr Ruto’s message during the burial of Eric Mutugi, the son of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti.
He later demanded to be informed why the government was unable to end the spate of abductions.
“We must own up to our inefficiencies when they are pointed out or where they occur. We cannot be here saying the great things of a young soul, then the next day, others are being taken. We cannot say we don’t know. We are the government. I am actually surprised,” Mr Muturi said.
“Lenny is my friend. I went there not as a government official. I delivered my message of condolence, and the problem only started when I was about to deliver the President’s message. People need to know that the President’s message was handed to me when I was already seated.”
mnyamori@ke.nationmedia.com
