Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has
affirmed that he has no issue with his successor, Geoffrey Ruku.
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Friday, Muturi said he is the one who nurtured Ruku throughout his political career.
“I have no problem with Ruku. I’m the one who brought him up,” Muturi said when asked how he felt about the Mbeere North MP being appointed as CS.
President William Ruto dismissed Muturi on March 26 and appointed Ruku, his area MP, to succeed him in the Public Service docket.
The former CS said Ruku began his political journey during
his university days and even contested for a councillor position after
graduating.
“Throughout that period, I’ve known him. He was a bit aggressive back then, but I think he was just scared,” Muturi revealed.
According to Muturi, it was President Ruto who introduced Ruku to him, as he didn’t want Ruku to run against then-MP Charles Njagagua.
“Njagagua was the sitting area MP and the favourite UDA candidate. So, the President is the one who sent Ruku to me,” Muturi said.
“Ruto called me when I was headed to a meeting in Othaya and said, ‘JB, since we’ve agreed to work together, why don’t you give this guy (Ruku) your ticket so we can avoid a fallout after UDA nominations?’”
Muturi said that, knowing Ruku well, he agreed and asked the President to send him over.
“I have no problem with Ruku becoming CS. I even supported him in 2017 when he was running for Embu Senator,” Muturi added.
Ruku, 45, won the Mbeere North parliamentary seat on the DP ticket in the 2022 general election, garnering 17,069 votes to defeat three other candidates.
He had first contested in 2013 but lost to Muriuki Njagagua.
In 2017, he made another attempt, this time for the Embu Senate seat on a Jubilee ticket, but again lost—this time to Njeru Ndigwa.
Ruku graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 2002.
