Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi found himself out of government after failing to perform in his role and later skipping Cabinet meetings, President William Ruto has said.

Speaking on Monday during an interview with vernacular media houses, Ruto disclosed that Muturi was initially appointed as Attorney General, but the former National Assembly Speaker expressed concerns about his ability to handle the role due to being out of legal practice for an extended period.

“When I appointed my friend JB Muturi to be Kenya’s Attorney General, he himself came to me and explained that he had been out of legal practice for too long, and he would be overwhelmed by the appointment,” Ruto said.

Despite Muturi’s reservations, Ruto insisted he take the position, but over time, it became evident that the job was overwhelming him.

“I gave him the benefit of doubt and persuaded him to take it up, but after some time, I realized it was taking a toll on him, as he had earlier hinted to me. I take responsibility for not having listened to him earlier,” he said.

The president further claimed that government departments seeking legal guidance during Muturi’s tenure as Attorney General encountered inefficiencies.

“Ask any government department who sought legal counsel from the Attorney General when JB Muturi was in office, they would tell you stories of the incompetence of that office,” Ruto stated.

Following these challenges, Ruto reassigned Muturi to a Cabinet Secretary position, hoping he would adapt. However, he said Muturi later stopped attending work.

“I then decided to switch him up to a Cabinet Secretary position, hoping he would settle in, only for him to start making excuses on why he wasn’t turning up for work,” Ruto explained.

Last week, Muturi was officially replaced by Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku.

Ruto, however, maintained that Muturi was not dismissed but rather removed himself from government by failing to fulfill his duties.

“Let me ask you people, if someone absconds duty, is it me who fired him or he’s the one who fired himself? I gave my friend JB Muturi a second chance, but in the process, he decided to dismiss himself,” the president said.

Ruto also downplayed concerns about Muturi’s future, stating that his previous service as National Assembly Speaker ensured he had financial security.

“Justin Muturi dismissed himself, but it is not the end of the road. He has a very good pension as a former speaker, so he will not suffer. It will help him move forward,” Ruto said.

Muturi, in an earlier interview with Citizen TV, explained that his absence from Cabinet meetings was a form of protest against the government’s failure to address cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings.

He revealed that he had skipped three consecutive Cabinet meetings: one on January 21, another on February 11, and the most recent on March 11.

Muturi clarified that he had formally requested an exemption from attending the meetings, seeking approval from President Ruto, who chairs the sessions.

“I have written and sought to be excused from attending Cabinet meetings until or unless the issue of abductions and extrajudicial killings is formally presented before Cabinet through a memorandum,” Muturi said.

He emphasized that the Cabinet, as the highest decision-making body, needed to take a position on the matter and provide clear guidance for the country.

Muturi dismissed any claims that his absence was an act of insubordination, asserting that his request for exemption was within his rights as a Cabinet member.

“Everyone in this country knows that these issues have been widely discussed. If the Cabinet cannot express itself, debate, and offer direction on these matters, it risks being seen as complicit or as condoning these injustices.” Muturi remarked.