NAIROBI, Kenya – In a dramatic twist, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has been fired as President William Ruto executed a mini-Cabinet reshuffle.
The move comes hot on the heels of Ruto’s blunt criticism of Muturi’s past performance as Attorney General, a role he held before joining the Cabinet.
Muturi Out, Geoffrey Ruku In
Replacing Muturi is Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku, Ruto’s nominee for the Public Service CS position.
The reshuffle marks a significant shift in the administration, as Muturi has been a vocal critic of the government, even going as far as skipping Cabinet meetings.
His absence, however, wasn’t without explanation.
Muturi recently disclosed that he formally sought the President’s permission to be excused from meetings until the government prioritized discussions on abductions and extrajudicial killings.
“Attending Cabinet meetings is mandatory unless one has permission from the President, which is what I sought,” he stated, emphasizing that his decision was not an act of insubordination.
President William Ruto fires Public Service Secretary Justin Muturi.
Ruto’s Public Rebuke: ‘Fairly Incompetent’
For the first time, Ruto publicly aired his grievances against Muturi, branding his tenure as Attorney General as less than stellar.
Speaking at a state Iftar dinner on Tuesday, Ruto pointed to legal delays concerning the operationalization of Waqf, an Islamic endowment fund, as an example of Muturi’s inefficacy.
“I had a problem with the AG who was there before, he was fairly incompetent. But now, I have a very competent lady in the position, and I can assure you that the issues of Waqf will be sorted out within months,” Ruto said.
Muturi, quick to defend his record, countered that the existing Waqf Act, 2022 does not mandate the creation of a Muslim Endowment Fund, arguing that Waqf is an individual religious initiative rather than a government-controlled entity.
Under the Waqf Act no.8 of 2022 there’s no provision for a “Muslim Endowment Fund “. It must be understood that a waqf is a religious,charitable or benevolent endowment by a person who professes Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission.
The fallout between Ruto and Muturi signals deeper tensions within the Cabinet, raising questions about internal cohesion in the administration.
With Ruku stepping in, the government may be looking for a more aligned and less confrontational voice in the Public Service docket.
However, the move also sets a precedent—loyalty and alignment with the President’s agenda may now be non-negotiable for those seeking to remain in his inner circle.
Ruto’s shake-up is more than just a personnel change; it’s a message.
Whether it strengthens his Cabinet’s efficiency or stirs more internal dissent remains to be seen.
What’s clear? The President isn’t tolerating pushback from within, and in his administration, competency—at least by his definition—isn’t optional.
