June 24, 2025 – Nairobi, Kenya: Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has broken his silence following his dramatic fallout with President William Ruto, stating publicly that he regrets ever supporting the Head of State.
In a candid post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Muturi contrasted Ruto’s leadership with that of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, whom he described as a “firm but fair” leader who ruled with dignity and openness.
“I will always respect former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was firm but fair, a leader who listened, embraced differing views, and never ruled with fear. We’re still friends to this day,” Muturi wrote.
“But I deeply regret ever supporting William Ruto.”
Muturi’s Rise and Rift with Ruto
Muturi, who served as Speaker of the National Assembly for 10 years under Uhuru, switched political camps to support Ruto ahead of the 2022 General Elections. After Ruto’s win, he was appointed as Attorney General, and later, as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development.
But tensions between the two rose sharply during the 2024 Gen Z protests in Kenya—unrest driven by opposition to the controversial Finance Bill and allegations of state-sponsored abductions and extrajudicial killings.
Muturi’s own son was abducted, prompting the then-CS to publicly demand accountability from the Cabinet. He is reported to have written to the President and skipped Cabinet meetings in protest.
According to Muturi, the turning point came after he allegedly overheard a call between President Ruto and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director-General, after which his son was suddenly released.
Related: Inside the Gen Z protests that shook Kenya’s leadership
Joining Forces with Opposition
Since his exit from government, Muturi has resurfaced on the national stage, now aligning himself with a growing list of opposition leaders including:
This emerging alliance is pushing back against what they term Ruto’s “authoritarian” governance style, with growing calls for reforms, justice for abducted protesters, and accountability for police brutality.
Also Read: Why the opposition is calling for a Gen Z national holiday
A Nation at a Crossroads
Muturi’s remarks come at a politically volatile time, with June 25 declared “Gen Z Day” by opposition leaders in memory of young people killed during the 2024 protests. The move has sparked tensions, with Kenya Kwanza leaders warning of possible arrests for anyone mobilizing nationwide demonstrations.
