NAIROBI, KENYA-MARCH, 26, 2025—President William Ruto on Wednesday fired his Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
The sacking follows a fallout between the two over the recent spate of abductions, forcible disappearance and killings of the youth who participated in the Gen-Z protests between June and August, 2024.
In an official statement released by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Wednesday, the President nominated Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku to take over the Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes docket.
Ruku’s appointment is now awaiting parliamentary approval.
President Ruto also appointed the widow of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, Hanna Cheptumo, as the Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet secretary.
The President also swapped Environment Cabinet Secretary docket with that of Health.
Muturi’s sacking marks the peak of a fallout with President William Ruto over the recent spate of abductions in the country. Muturi has vowed not to seat in any cabinet meeting until the national security issue is fully resolved.
I will not resign
Muturi has been dismissing calls for his resignation, stating that there was no reason at all for him to quit the cabinet.
While being interviewed on Citizen TV recently, Muturi defended his criticism of abductions, stating that he was fulfilling his duty as a public servant and that resigning would be ‘immoral’
“As far as I know, it is not the policy of the government to abduct or kill people. Speaking against that cannot be a reason for my resignation,” Muturi said earlier while in Mombasa.
On Tuesday, President Ruto while hosting Muslims for an Iftar dinner at State House Nairobi, said that Muturi was in incompetent Attorney General who delayed the enactment of the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf).
However, Muturi clarified that the Waqf Act does not provide for the creation of a Muslim Endowment fund.
President Ruto blamed Muturi for delays in implementing the Waqf Commission, assuring Muslims in the country that under the new Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, the matter would be resolved.
