Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has officially returned to lead the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP), a political outfit he once headed before stepping down to join the government. His reinstatement was confirmed through a statement he shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, June 11.
According to Muturi, the Democratic Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held a meeting and reached a unanimous decision to reinstate him as the party’s leader with immediate effect. He expressed gratitude to the NEC for placing their trust in him once again.
“This is not just an honour to me personally,” Muturi said, “It is a call to action as we work together to rebuild, re-energise, and reposition the Democratic Party for the future.”
He emphasised that while the NEC had given him the go-ahead, his return would still need to be formally endorsed by the National Delegates Convention (NDC) later this year.
Muturi further stated that his return marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Democratic Party, which was founded in 1991 by the late President Mwai Kibaki and the late John Keen, who served as MP for Kajiado North from 1969 to 1979 and was also a former Assistant Minister for Agriculture.
“I sincerely thank the members of the NEC for their confidence in me and for their unanimous resolution to reinstate me as the Party Leader with immediate effect, subject to ratification by the NDC later this year,” Muturi said.
Muturi had previously contested the presidency under the Democratic Party ticket in the 2022 general elections. However, the party later joined forces with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and backed William Ruto’s bid for the presidency.
Shortly after Ruto was elected, Muturi resigned as party leader to serve in the Cabinet, where he was appointed as Attorney General and later moved to serve as the Public Service Cabinet Secretary.
In a letter dated March 12, just before the Cabinet reshuffle on March 26 that saw Muturi dismissed from his post, the Democratic Party issued a formal notice of exit from the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. This made it the first party to officially sever ties with the coalition government.
Since his exit from government, Muturi has been increasingly vocal in opposing President Ruto’s administration. He has particularly criticised the government for its handling of human rights issues, including cases of abduction and police abuse.
Following his dismissal from the Cabinet, Muturi has been seen strengthening ties with prominent opposition figures such as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), among others.
These efforts are seen as part of a broader plan to build a formidable opposition alliance.
Just two days ago, on June 9, Muturi issued a powerful statement demanding accountability from the police following the suspicious death of a teacher and blogger, Albert Ojwang. Ojwang died while in custody at the Nairobi Central Police Station on Sunday, May 8.
Muturi directly blamed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Langat, who had filed the complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest.
He condemned what he described as the growing misuse of state power to intimidate and silence critics, rather than uphold justice and the rule of law.
“A young man is dead, and now the nation must face the bitter truth about the decay in our criminal justice system,” Muturi said. “The question is no longer just about what happened to Albert Ojwang—it is now about who could be next.”
His strong remarks indicate that Muturi is not only resuming leadership within his party but also positioning himself as a key opposition figure pushing for accountability and reforms in Kenya’s governance.
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