Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of contempt of court, citing his refusal to reinstate Muturi’s security detail despite a standing court order.
Muturi, who previously served in the Cabinet before being dismissed by President William Ruto, claims the withdrawal of his security was unlawful and politically motivated. In new court filings submitted at the Milimani High Court, he argues that the move followed his public criticism of the government and was intended to punish and silence him.
As a former state officer, Muturi maintains he is legally entitled to protection under the Retirement Benefits (Deputy Presidents and Designated State Officers) Act, which guarantees two armed police officers for former Speakers of the National Assembly. However, his security was withdrawn shortly after his removal from Cabinet, prompting him to seek legal redress.
On April 11, 2025, the High Court issued a conservatory order directing the Inspector General to immediately restore his security and to refrain from any further interference until the matter is formally heard on June 24. Despite the clear directive, Muturi says no action has been taken to comply.
“The court… issued a conservatory order directing the Inspector General of Police to immediately reinstate or restore my security and not to withdraw or interfere with it in any manner until 24 June 2025,” Muturi stated in an affidavit.
He now warns that the continued failure to act not only endangers his personal safety but also reflects a troubling rise in impunity within key state institutions.
According to Muturi, the withdrawal of his security followed his outspoken condemnation of human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and killings allegedly committed during last year’s Gen Z protests. He describes the move as politically charged and unjustified.
Court documents filed by his legal team describe the action as “malicious,” “unreasonable,” and lacking any lawful basis. His lawyers, Isaac W & Associates, had written to the police chief on April 17 demanding compliance with the court order, but the request went unanswered.
With the police service still silent, Muturi has now returned to court, seeking to have the Inspector General held in contempt for violating the court’s directive.
“It is the unqualified duty of every person against whom an order is issued to comply with it,” he insists, calling on the judiciary to uphold the rule of law regardless of political influence or rank.
