Public Service CS Justin Muturi has addressed his recent absences from Cabinet meetings amid speculation about a potential rift between him and President William Ruto.
Speaking on a local TV station on Wednesday, March 12, 2024, the CS, who has notably missed three Cabinet meetings, revealed that he requested to be excused until the issue of police abductions and extrajudicial killings is formally discussed.
Muturi explained that attendance at Cabinet meetings is mandatory unless one is granted permission by the chair, who is President Ruto. He, however, confirmed that he had formally sought to be excused from the meetings.
“It is mandatory to attend meetings unless given authority or excused by the chair of the Cabinet, who is the president, but people do get indisposed for all manner of reasons,” Muturi explained.
Muturi stated that he made this decision to push for the inclusion of abductions and extrajudicial killings in the Cabinet agenda. He emphasized that he wants the matter to be officially tabled through a Cabinet memorandum so that the government can take a firm position and provide a way forward.
“In my case, I have written and sought to be excused from Cabinet meetings unless the agenda of abductions and extrajudicial killings is formally tabled before Cabinet, through a Cabinet memorandum, so that the Cabinet can express itself and give the country the way forward with regards to abductions and extrajudicial killings. So, I sought to be excused for these reasons,” the former Attorney General added.
However, Muturi did not directly address any disagreements with Ruto, instead focusing on his insistence that the pressing human rights issue must be discussed at the highest level of government.
Insurbordination
The embattled Cabinet Secretary has been absent from three consecutive Cabinet meetings: on January 21, February 11, and March 11, fueling speculation about a possible fallout between him and the President. Some of the President’s allies have even accused Muturi of insubordination.
However, Muturi has dismissed the assertion, noting that his absences were not an act of defiance. He emphasized that requesting to be absent does not equate to insubordination.
“It is not insubordination when you seek to be excused,” he said on Wednesday.
The tension escalated following Muturi’s public revelation that his son, Leslie, was abducted by state agents during the anti-government protests.
This disclosure has intensified political tensions, with some of Ruto’s allies calling for Muturi’s resignation or impeachment.
Despite the mounting pressure, Muturi has dismissed calls for his resignation, asserting that there are no sufficient grounds for him to quit office.
