Ex-IPOA boss Macharia Njeru alleges past threats amid mounting pressure on Ruto over State interference

Njeru’s revelations came via a statement published on X Friday, adding to recent allegations by former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, who accused President Ruto of systematic interference with public institutions.

Recalling an early morning phone call during his time at the helm of IPOA, Njeru stated that the then-Deputy President warned him of political fallout if the watchdog authority did not comply with executive demands.

"He called me early one morning, threatening that if IPOA didn't comply, he and Uhuru would treat us as they did the opposition," Njeru disclosed. "I told him to proceed."

Njeru questioned the unwillingness of current state officers and heads of constitutional commissions to stand up against executive coercion, urging public officials to uphold their oath of office despite political pressure.

"I don't understand why people in institutions fear a single man just because he's President, but he's not God," Njeru wrote. "We're all mortal. As the Romans would say, 'Memento mori.'"

Njeru, a Senior Advocate of the High Court who also served as Vice Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), led IPOA from its inception in 2012 through 2018. 

During his tenure, the authority established key precedents on police accountability, frequently clashing with top government officials over disputed police recruitment drives and extrajudicial excesses.

His commentary follows remarks made earlier in the week by Prof. Ndung’u in Sweden, where the former Treasury minister claimed civil servants and institutional leaders feel forced to conform to executive directives out of fear of state retribution.

The former Treasury CS claimed that President Ruto's leadership approach discourages public servants from acting independently.

"Right now, the current President overruns the institutions, and that's why everyone in those institutions will have to conform for fear. But I refused to do deals in the Ministry of Finance. I can't do them. It follows you to your grave; it doesn't go away with the regime. It's only capacity at the individual and institutional level that gives you the courage to say no because you know it will follow you," he stated.

State House has not yet issued an official response regarding Njeru's claims.