In a startling revelation, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly accused President William Ruto of harassing Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi. The accusation revolves around a text message Ruto allegedly sent to Muturi, accusing him of inciting mourners at the burial of Lenny Kivuti’s son in Embu.
This accusation has surfaced at a time when Muturi appears to be at odds with the Kenya Kwanza government, especially following his explosive allegations about the National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss, Nordin Haji, in connection with his son’s abduction.
Gachagua’s statement came during a TikTok live session on Thursday, January 23, where he accused President Ruto of subjecting Muturi to harassment.
According to Gachagua, the situation stems from an incident in Embu on Friday, January 3, when mourners rejected a condolence message from President Ruto, which was delivered by Muturi. Gachagua claims that after this rejection, President Ruto allegedly sent a message to Muturi, accusing him of stirring up the protest among the mourners.
The former Deputy President defended Muturi, stating that the rejection of the message was not due to any wrongdoing by the CS, but rather a result of the deep-seated dissatisfaction among the people of Embu with President Ruto.
He emphasized that it was the people’s rejection, not Muturi’s actions, and that the CS should not be blamed for the incident. Gachagua expressed his displeasure at the offensive messages allegedly sent by Ruto, accusing the President of unfairly targeting Muturi. He described these accusations as harsh and unjust, asserting that Muturi was being wrongfully blamed for actions he did not commit.
The controversy surrounding Muturi has grown, especially after his absence from a recent Cabinet meeting hosted by President Ruto in Kakamega. His absence has fueled speculation that there may be growing tension between Muturi and the Kenya Kwanza government.
This comes on the heels of his serious allegations linking NIS chief Nordin Haji to the abduction of his son during the anti-government protests in June 2024. These accusations have led to a deepening rift between Muturi and his colleagues within the government, casting doubt on his future role in the administration.
Adding to the tension, South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro has given Muturi an ultimatum: either resign or apologize for his public grievances.
Osoro accuses Muturi of disrespecting the Kenya Kwanza government by airing his issues in public rather than addressing them internally, a move that has stirred up further division within the government ranks.
In response to his absence from the Cabinet meeting, Muturi finally spoke out, though he did not directly address the issue.
He simply advised journalists to direct their inquiries to Mercy Wanjau, the Secretary to the Cabinet, for clarification. President Ruto, on the other hand, has not publicly commented on Muturi’s absence, leaving many to wonder what the silence signifies.
Muturi was also notably absent at another important event—the swearing-in of public service commissioners at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), further fueling speculation about his standing within the administration.
This ongoing saga between Muturi, Ruto, and Gachagua has raised many questions about the stability of relationships within the Kenya Kwanza government and the possible implications for the future of Cabinet members who openly challenge or disagree with the leadership.
