Muturi says Ruto insulted him on WhatsApp
Former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Justin Muturi has revealed that at some point, he was tempted to fire insults at President William Ruto.
Speaking to one of the local TV stations on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Muturi narrated how Ruto sent insults to him via WhatsApp, a message he says almost provoked him into a heated exchange.
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Muturi said he had not spoken to President Ruto throughout the year despite making efforts to reach him early in January.
According to him, he made three calls to the President on January 6, 2025, but received no response, a silence he believes was deliberate.
“Mimi sijazungumza na Rais William Ruto kwa mwaka huu wote. Wakati nilijaribu kuwasiliana naye, nafikiri ilikuwa tarehe 6 Januari mwaka huu.
“Nadhani alikataa kupokea simu yangu kwa sababu nilikuwa nimempigia mara tatu. Alikuwa amenitumia ujumbe niliouona kama matusi, na labda ni vizuri hakunijibu kwa sababu nilikuwa tayari kumtumia maneno makali sana,” Muturi recounted.
Burial incident
Muturi further explained that the incident unfolded while attending the burial of the son of his friend, the late Embu County Senator Lenny Kivuti.
“Ilikuwa siku nilipokuwa nimeenda kwenye mazishi ya kijana wa rafiki yangu, aliyekuwa Seneta wa Kaunti ya Embu, Lenny Kivuti (mtoto wake),” he said. While at the burial, Muturi said a condolence message from President Ruto arrived, intended for the bereaved family.
According to Muturi, before he could read the message aloud, the crowd reacted noisily. Religious leaders present, including Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit and another bishop from Mbeere, advised him to hand over the message to the family directly. “
“Nikiwa pale, nililetewa ujumbe wa rais wa rambirambi zake kwa familia. Nilipomaliza kusoma ujumbe wangu, nikasema niko na ujumbe wa rais, na hata kabla sijausoma, wananchi wakapiga kelele. Askofu Ole Sapit na yule wa kule Mbeere waliniambia nimkabidhi familia,” he said.
Ruto’s late-night message
Muturi said the President’s message finally reached him later that night, but its tone left him shocked. “Ujumbe wa rais ulifika usiku huo, na nilipoona alisema kuwa afadhali ningekataa kuchukua ujumbe wake tangu mwanzo. Akaanza kusema kuwa mimi nilikuwa mmoja wa wale waliopanga ujumbe wake ukataliwe,” Muturi stated, adding that perhaps it was for the best that Ruto did not answer his calls that day, as he was prepared to respond harshly.
