KAKAMEGA, Kenya – Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi was notably absent from the first Cabinet meeting of 2025, held at the State Lodge in Kakamega on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by President William Ruto, focused on streamlining government operations, including the merger of 42 state corporations into 20 to cut costs.
Muturi’s absence raised eyebrows, especially following his recent public divergence from the government.
When asked by this reporter if there was a compelling reason for his absence, Muturi responded tersely, “Yes,” without providing further details.
Muturi Skips Cabinet Meeting:Public Service CS Justin Muturi did not attend today’s Cabinet meeting in Kakamega.It is likely that Muturi was not invited to the meeting.Is this the beginning of the end for Muturi in Ruto’s government?#NTVTonight @jamessmat @david_muthoka7
This development comes on the heels of Muturi’s January 12 press conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, where he called for a national dialogue on alleged abductions of Kenyans.
He directly accused the government of involvement, a claim the administration has consistently denied.
Muturi, former Attorney General, revealed personal stakes in the issue, stating that his son was abducted on June 22, 2024.
He claimed that only President Ruto’s intervention led to his son’s release after hours of distress and ineffective attempts to gain assistance from senior government officials.
Muturi recounted that a friend at the National Intelligence Service (NIS) informed him the agency was holding his son.
“The President joked, asking why anyone would want to arrest a young person over the Gen Z demonstrations,” Muturi said, adding that Ruto directly contacted NIS boss Noordin Haji, who confirmed the detention and assured the release of his son.
The incident has sparked public debate and drawn criticism from within the government, with officials labelling Muturi’s remarks as insensitive and detrimental to national security.
Muturi has since recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to assist in ongoing investigations.