Ruto fires ‘incompetent’ CS Justin Muturi, nominates Geoffrey Ruku

NAIROBI, KENYA — President William Ruto has nominated Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, Member of Parliament for Mbeere, to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, replacing Justin Muturi. The nomination was announced in an official statement issued by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei.

The transition follows a period of escalating tension between President Ruto and outgoing Cabinet Secretary Muturi.

Muturi’s criticisms of the State, particularly concerning alleged abductions and killings of Gen Z protesters in June and December 2024, in which his own son was involved, fueled the discord.

Muturi had publicly disclosed that he “requested to be excused from Cabinet meetings until the issues of police abductions and extrajudicial killings were on the agenda.”

Muturi had defended his vocal stance, asserting that his actions aligned with his duties as a public servant and should be commended.

President Ruto, after weeks of silence on the matter, addressed the situation during an Iftar dinner at State House, Nairobi. He characterized Cabinet Secretary Muturi as “fairly incompetent.”

Specifically, President Ruto cited Muturi’s perceived “inept handling” of the establishment of the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf) during his tenure as Attorney General, which Ruto claimed denied the commission the opportunity to manage Islamic endowments.

“I had a problem with the AG who was there before—he was fairly incompetent. But now, I have a very competent lady in the position, and I can assure you that the issues of Wakf will be sorted out within months,” Ruto stated.

“The Government of Kenya is able to carry all of us, from different backgrounds, communities, and religions. Nobody needs to leave for someone else to come in. If anyone ever doubted that, now we have a broad-based government. Everybody is here, and bado haijajaa,” he added

In addition to the Cabinet nomination, President Ruto addressed other pressing matters. He assured the Nubian community of their rightful place in Kenyan society, promising their formal recognition as a Kenyan community by either Madaraka Day or Jamhuri Day.

The President also acknowledged concerns regarding the integration of religious education within the national curriculum. He admitted that delays in mainstreaming religious education had persisted for too long and vowed to take immediate action.

“We will continue to look at the issues raised here—how we can mainstream religious education and find a nexus between religious and formal education. This has taken too long, and there is absolutely no reason for it,” he added.

Furthermore, in a separate Cabinet realignment, President William Ruto has appointed Aden Duale as the new Cabinet Secretary for Health, replacing him just months after he assumed leadership of the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Ministry.

Deborah Barasa will now head the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry docket, taking over from Duale.

“His Excellency the President has additionally effected portfolio reassignments within the ranks of the serving members of the Cabinet.

“Accordingly, and in accordance with Article 152(5)(a) of the Constitution, the following Cabinet Secretaries have been reassigned Aden Bare Duale, Health Ministry and Deborah Mulongo Barasa to the Environment, Climate Change and Forestry,” a communication by Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei said.

Prior to him being Environment CS, Duale served as the Cabinet Secretary for Defence having assumed the position on October 31, 2022. He was dismissed on July 11, 2024 and then reinstated on July 19, 2024 in a different capacity as Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.

President Ruto has also nominated the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo as CS in the ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage.