President William Ruto has defended his decision to drop former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi in the recent Cabinet reshuffle, stating that the former Attorney General had struggled to deliver in his previous roles.
Speaking during a media roundtable at Sagana State Lodge on Monday, Ruto revealed that Muturi himself had admitted to challenges when first appointed as Attorney General, citing his long absence from legal practice after years in politics.
“He said he might get overwhelmed. It was my fault because I persuaded him, but after some time, I saw he was struggling, so I decided to move him to the Public Service Ministry,” Ruto explained.
However, the President claimed that even in his second role, Muturi disengaged from his duties, skipping Cabinet meetings and effectively sidelining himself.
“In between, he went on strike from attending Cabinet meetings. You are a minister, but you are on strike—what was I supposed to do?” Ruto posed.
Despite their long-standing friendship, Ruto asserted that Muturi’s actions left him with no choice but to let him go.
“I believe in second chances, and I gave him one. But he chose to do as he pleased. It’s not the end of the road for him; he has a good pension as a former Speaker, so he won’t suffer much,” the President added.
Muturi has yet to publicly respond to Ruto’s remarks.
