Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi was a no-show at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at the Kakamega State Lodge on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Muturi’s absence sparked a wave of speculation with many questions arising about whether the CS, who caused a stir with his criticism of the government’s handling of the ongoing abduction crisis, was deliberately excluded from the meeting.
Muturi’s absence raised further questions about whether it signaled the beginning of the end of his tenure in President Ruto’s administration or if there’s another reason behind his conspicuous no-show in Kakamega.
It remains unclear whether he made the decision to skip the meeting, or the decision was made for him by the secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau.
The CS’s absence from the crucial meeting fuels speculation of disquiet not only in government over the abductions but also between the Cabinet secretary and his boss.
President Ruto himself has remained silent on the matter, leaving many to wonder how he will navigate the situation.
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Experts have suggested that the decision he makes could have significant ramifications, especially as the 2027 poll approaches.
What Justin Muturi Cabinet absence implies
Speaking to The Kenya Times, Lawyer and governance expert Javas Bigambo weighed in on the issue, emphasizing that Muturi’s absence from the cabinet meeting could be a violation of Article 153(2) of the Constitution, which requires Cabinet Secretaries to be accountable to the President.
“Cabinet Secretaries are accountable individually, and collectively, to the President for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions,” the article states.
Bigambo explained that in particular, Muturi’s no-show it goes against the oath of office taken by a CS, which demands they provide their counsel objectively and sincerely to the President.
“Such an absence undermines the spirit of the Constitution and the principles of good governance. It’s hard to believe that all other cabinet members were notified about the meeting, while Muturi was left out,” he noted.
On the other hand, political analyst Maimuna Mwidau suggested that Muturi’s absence might be due to reasons beyond his recent public stance on abductions and the calls for his resignation from certain factions within the ruling party.
“At this point, we can only speculate about the internal dynamics at play,” she said. “While a rift might be brewing, we haven’t seen any official resignation letter from him. His absence today could simply be the result of factors we’re not privy to.”
“Bring it on”
Muturi’s absence came after he scoffed at impeachment threats piled against him by Members of Parliament allied to President Ruto.
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Speaking when he recorded a statement on his son’s abduction, Muturi said he will not be cowed by statements from “inexperienced politicians” who do not even deserve his response.
He remained unbowed on his stand to challenge the government regarding abductions in the country saying it is matter that concerns all Kenyans.
“I will just say bring it on. At my age, I’m not the kind of person to respond to some perfunctory statements made by fairly inexperienced politicians. I think they’re not worthy my response. So, if anybody thinks that I don’t know what I was doing, they’re up for a rude shock,” he said.
National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro had announced plans to impeach him over what he termed as blackmailing the government.
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