Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has defended President William Ruto’s decision to dismiss Justin Muturi as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, insisting that civil servants must respect the President and refrain from publicly criticizing the administration they serve.
Speaking at the Ewaso Ngiro Tannery and Leather Factory in Narok County on Thursday, Mwaura said Muturi’s removal was necessary after his public criticism of the government over the abductions and killings of Gen Z protesters in June and December 2024, incidents in which Muturi’s own son was a victim.
Mwaura reiterated that members of the Executive must demonstrate loyalty to the President.
“Public servants must understand that they serve at the pleasure of the Head of State and should not openly oppose the government,” he stated, in what appeared to be a direct rebuke of Muturi’s actions.
Following Muturi’s dismissal on Wednesday, President Ruto nominated Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku to replace him in the Public Service docket.
Addressing concerns over Kenya’s police deployment to Haiti, Mwaura acknowledged that there had been casualties but assured affected families that the government would compensate them accordingly.
“In any operation, there will be casualties. We are handling the affected families with the care they deserve, and they will be compensated,” he said.
His comments follow reports of Kenyan police officers killed while on a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, sparking public debate over the safety of the deployment.
Mwaura also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in the North Rift, a region long plagued by bandit attacks. He urged local politicians to collaborate with the state to restore peace.
“Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen was in the North Rift yesterday. We call on political leaders to work together with the government to find a lasting solution,” Mwaura said.
He further claimed that increased development projects in the region have contributed to a decline in intercommunal clashes, underscoring the need for sustained investment to address underlying issues fueling insecurity.
