CS Muturi continues to discharge mandate despite skipping Cabinet meeting

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has continued to discharge his ministerial roles even after missing out on Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at the Kakamega State Lodge.

Muturi’s Cabinet no-show came hot on the heels of his strong criticism of the government following the recent spate of abductions, of which his own son was also a victim.

The CS on Friday made a public appearance at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa where he officially closed the 2nd Annual Huduma Centre Managers’ Conference.

The conference, he stated brought together all the 57 Huduma Centre Managers across the country, whom he commended for their dedication in taking services closer to the people.

“To address existing challenges, my Ministry is committed to securing additional support to expand these outreaches and streamline services at Huduma Centres through the Huduma Kenya Universal Agent initiative. This will ensure that every centre offers comprehensive services to meet citizens' needs effectively,” he said in a subsequent statement.

“As we move forward, I call on all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to onboard their services to the Huduma Kenya platform, so that together, we can deliver on our promise of efficient, dignified, and customer-centered public service delivery.”

Images seen by Citizen Digital from Tuesday’s Cabinet session revealed Muturi's absence as President Ruto met his other 22 CSs.

Muturi's absence was ostensibly due to his standoff with the State as he demanded answers on why his son was abducted in June 2024.

"I have personally suffered as my son was abducted leaving my family in turmoil. I've not gotten any answers as to why my son was abducted, held incommunicado and nobody gave any reasons for that abduction," he said in a controversial presser on January 12, 2025.

He was later summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record his statement on the alleged abduction, and after he did, he made a damning revelation to the public.

According to the CS, his son Leslie Muturi was abducted by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and only released following an order by President Ruto.

In a statement to police recorded on January 14, 2025, Muturi gave a detailed account of how his son was kidnapped on June 22, 2024, by armed hooded gangsters along Dennis Pritt Road.

At the time, Leslie was in the company of Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje and Marangu Imanyara at Alfajiri Lounge before deciding to go to a birthday party in Lavington.

On their way to the party, Leslie is said to have been kidnapped by armed men who forced him into a Prado and drove off.

CS Muturi recalled calling then Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who promised to look into the matter. 

His efforts to contact DCI boss Mohammed Amin and NIS Director General Noordin Haji were futile as his calls went unanswered.

After multiple calls, he said he decided to physically visit State House to prompt the President to act over the matter. He narrated the ordeal to Ruto and expressed his belief that NIS was holding his son.

"The President joked, asking why anyone would want to arrest a young person over the Gen Z demonstrations. He even mentioned that (MP Mwangi) Kiunjuri's son and the sons of other officials had been involved in similar demonstrations," he noted.

"Standing outside the pavilion, I heard the President ask Haji if he was holding my son, Noordin confirmed, that indeed he was holding my son and the President instructed him to release Leslie immediately. Noordin responded that Leslie would be released within an hour."

Muturi’s bombshell revelation and subsequent tiff with the State has led to criticism from some quarters, especially from the President’s close allies, some of whom have demanded that he either resigns from government or face an impeachment motion.

His response to them, however, was a bold “bring it on” as he stated that he is presently above threats, and will continue with his work unabated.