Muturi says his life is in danger after his security detail was withdrawn
Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has raised concerns over his safety, claiming that the government has withdrawn his security detail in what he believes is retaliation for his recent remarks.
Speaking during a press address on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Muturi revealed that his security personnel were instructed not to report for duty the previous evening, with officials citing his opposition to the government as the reason.
“The reaction from the government has been the immediate withdrawal of my security, which happened last evening. My security personnel were instructed not to report to duty on the basis that they told me that I’m fighting the government,” Muturi said.
While attempting to downplay the move, Muturi nonetheless noted that the withdrawal raised serious legal and ethical concerns.
He pointed out that under Kenyan law, certain categories of retired state officers — including former speakers, deputy presidents, chief justices, and former vice presidents — are entitled to state security and benefits even after leaving office.
“Well, I said it’s okay. There are very many Kenyans without government security, and therefore it is not the kind of thing that should worry somebody. But just to observe, you know, under the law, the retirement benefits for state officers — deputy presidents, retired speakers of the House of Parliament, chief justices and deputy chief justice, former prime minister, former vice president — are all covered in that Act,” he stated.
“If this is yet another attempt to cow me into silence, they’ve dialled yet another wrong number,” he added.
Muturi’s criticism
Muturi’s safety concerns follow a recent surge in political tension, especially after his sharp criticism of President William Ruto.
In a televised interview on April 4, 2025, Muturi accused the president of being “irredeemably corrupt” and using state programs for personal financial gain.
“When I watch William Ruto sometimes talking to members of the cabinet and saying, ‘I do not want to see corruption in my government,’ then I start wondering, ‘Who is this talking?’” Muturi said.
“He is absolutely, irredeemably corrupt.”
He cited a 2023 encounter during COP28 in Dubai, where he claims Ruto pressured him to sign a billion-dollar deal with Russian oligarchs under unclear terms.
“On the day we were coming from India, after COP28, we flew to India for a state visit. At the time I landed in Dubai, Ruto was calling me: ‘Those people, those Russians, they are there in Dubai; you need to sign those documents.’ But I said I have just landed at the airport; I am in transit,” Muturi recalled.
The deal in question reportedly involved a $1 billion grant to support Kenya’s tree-planting initiative, though Muturi refused to sign the documents at the airport, insisting on reviewing them in his office.
Muturi also raised alarms over attempts to bypass the National Treasury, accusing the president of undermining public financial management laws.
“You know, whenever William Ruto comes up with a programme, it is for money-making,” Muturi claimed, accusing the president of using public initiatives for personal enrichment.
