Muturi: I snubbed Cabinet meetings because abductions weren't on agenda

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi addressing the media at Ufangamano house, Nairobi on April 2, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has revealed in detail the reasons behind him snubbing Cabinet meetings.

Speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing at Ufangamano House, Muturi said the subject on abductions did not take priority during ministerial deliberations.

Muturi further detailed what he claimed were the reasons behind his dismissal, arguing that his absence from Cabinet meetings was a matter of principle and not a demonstration of neglect of his duties.

The former AG said he never attended any of the three Cabinet meetings held earlier this year, starting with the first on January 21, at Kakamega State Lodge.

"When I received the invitation and the agenda for the Cabinet meeting, I realised that there was no agenda touching on abductions and extrajudicial killings," Muturi explained.

"I felt that it would not be fitting for me to attend a Cabinet meeting that did not address such a monumental issue that goes to the core of our constitutional basis and the rule of law."

Muturi said he sent a letter to President William Ruto, through the Secretary to the Cabinet, on January 20, 2025, excusing his non-attendance, and raising the need for urgent discussion on the alleged human rights abuses.

He said despite raising the issue with the President, the second Cabinet meeting held on February 11, 2025, did not address the matter of abductions and extrajudicial killings yet again.

"I went through the agenda and found that the issues were still not listed," Muturi said.

"I wrote to the President directly, requesting that the matter be prioritised and placed on the agenda for discussion, debate and resolution."

Muturi further highlighted that the third Cabinet meeting, which took place on March 11, 2025, continued to ignore his concerns.

"Once again, the agenda had no mention of abductions and extrajudicial killings," Muturi stated.

"I wrote to the President, reiterating my position, urging him to prioritise the matter."

Despite his repeated efforts to raise awareness, Muturi said he received no response to any of his letters, leading him to believe that the President had not considered the matter of abductions and extrajudicial killings as a priority.

The former CS stated that he was surprised by the President’s statement during an interview that the issue of abductions had been addressed and resolved in the Cabinet.

"I was surprised to hear the President on live television stating that the issue has been discussed in Cabinet and has been resolved," Muturi said.

Muturi further cast aspersions on the President’s remarks on the disbandment of a police squad allegedly responsible for abductions and killings.

"If the President knew of the existence of such a squad that committed such heinous crimes, shouldn’t the members of this squad face the full weight of the law?" Muturi asked.

"Why has the President not given the names of those involved so they can be prosecuted for the crimes they committed?"

Muturi also raised concerns about the continuation of abductions, asking whether a new squad was operating in the same manner as the one that was allegedly disbanded.

He stated that his sacking was directly related to his stand on abductions and extrajudicial killings, not his absence from Cabinet meetings.

Muturi said he will continue to push for justice and accountability, no matter the personal cost.

The former CS began the calls to address the issue of abductions on January 12, 2025, when he revealed that his son was a victim.

He revealed that his son was later released following intervention from the President.