Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has dismissed calls for his impeachment over his remarks on abduction cases in the country, daring critics to proceed with their threats.
Muturi, who has been vocal about the government’s handling of abduction allegations, maintains that his statements are in defense of fundamental human rights.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices, where he recorded a statement regarding his son’s alleged abduction, Muturi downplayed the impeachment threats, describing them as baseless.
“I will just say, bring it on. At my age, I am not the kind of person to respond to some of the statements. Some of it is perfunctory statements made by fairly inexperienced politicians, they are not worth my response,” said Muturi. “If anybody thinks that I don’t know what I am doing, then they are up for a rude shock.”
The controversy arose after Muturi, on January 12, criticized the government for its alleged inaction on abductions and unexplained disappearances.
He accused the government of failing in its duty to protect citizens, noting that some of the victims were young Kenyans linked to the Gen Z protests of June 2023.
“The cardinal duty of the state and the government is to protect the lives and livelihoods of its citizens. It cannot claim to be unaware of such serious breaches of the rights of Kenyans to live free from wrongful confinement and the violation of their inalienable right to life,” Muturi said.
Political Fallout
Muturi’s remarks sparked mixed reactions, with some leaders accusing him of undermining the government. Aldai MP Marianne Kitany was among those calling for his resignation, accusing the CS of bypassing Cabinet channels to raise the issue.
Speaking at Mogomben Primary School, Kitany termed Muturi’s comments as disrespectful to President William Ruto and the Cabinet.
“The highest organ where decisions are made in the Republic of Kenya is called Cabinet. If you are a member of the Cabinet, why didn’t you raise this matter with the President directly?” she questioned. “Going to the media instead is not only disrespectful to the Cabinet but also to the President.”
Kitany urged Muturi to step down if he could not align with the principles of collective responsibility expected of Cabinet members.
Public Reactions and Next Steps
Muturi’s bold remarks have drawn support from human rights activists who commended him for speaking out against forced disappearances, while critics within the political sphere accuse him of playing to the gallery.
