Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has accused President William Ruto’s administration of attempting to push through a questionable Sh129 billion ($1 billion) deal with Russian investors.
In an explosive exposé aired on NTV, the former CS mentioned Ruto’s Economic advisor, Chief of Strategy Execution, Adan Mohamed and industrial giant Narendra Raval of Devki Group in the controversy without directly linking them to the scandal.
However, he claimed that it was through Adan Mohamed that he became aware of the Adani Airport saga, which he squarely blamed on Ruto.
Muturi claimed insider knowledge of the deal and alleged Ruto’s direct involvement.
“I know Ruto is clearly behind it. His economic advisor, Adan Mohamed, invited me to attend COP28 in Dubai in 2023, where I received significant information related to the Adani deal,” he said, explaining how discussions with Ruto’s aides revealed its origins.
In a scathing criticism of President Ruto, the former Public Service Cabinet Secretary described the Head of State as an irredeemably corrupt figure.
“When I watch William Ruto sometimes talking to members of the Cabinet and saying, ‘I do not want to see corruption in my government,’ I start wondering, ‘Who is this talking?’”
“He is absolutely, irredeemably corrupt,” Muturi said.
The former Attorney General recounted an experience in Dubai, where he was instructed by President Ruto to sign a deal involving Russians.
However, he said he could not append his signature to the documents, preferring to review them first.
“I don’t want to give you obvious examples like the Adani deal because I have some background. When his advisor Adan Mohamed invited me to attend COP28 in Dubai in 2023, he gave me a lot of information, which ended up with the Adani deal about the airport. During the same time, some Russian oligarchs had offered to invest USD 1 billion here in Kenya.
“On the day we were returning from India, after COP28, we flew to India for a state visit. Devki’s Guru informed me that he was chartering a private plane for the president. When I landed in Dubai, Ruto called me, saying, ‘Those people, those Russians, they are there in Dubai; you need to sign those documents.’ But I said I had just landed at the airport; I was in transit and not leaving the airport.
“He said, ‘But you are there; your staff have already worked on the document, and I need you to review it in the office.’ They (Russians) were purporting to give a grant of USD 1 billion to allegedly grow three billion trees toward the 15 billion trees goal,” Muturi said.
While Muturi didn’t directly link Ruto’s aides to the alleged ‘corrupt’ schemes, he left little doubt about their roles in the broader ploy.
Money-Minting Initiatives?
He added that Ruto’s programs are always influenced by his desire to profit from them.
“You know, whenever William Ruto comes up with a program, it is for money-making. They (Russians) brought me an MoU that came from the Ministry of Environment, which they pushed through, and I told them that this USD 1 billion can only be by way of a grant, and it cannot come directly to the ministry because, under the PFM Act (The Public Finance Management Act, 1999) in Section 47, it can only go through the National Treasury.
“They tried to avoid that money going to the National Treasury, and it was money coming from abroad. I was told to sign at the airport, and it was William Ruto calling me directly,” he concluded.
Muturi was fired as CS, and Geoffrey Ruku, the Member of Parliament for Mbeere North, was nominated in his place.
Instilling Fear
Muturi further revealed how Ruto allegedly controls his Cabinet by instilling fear among his ministers, accusing the Head of State of ruling with an iron fist and suppressing dissent.
Muturi claimed that many Cabinet Secretaries are too afraid to associate with him, speak freely, or even answer his calls, fearing reprisals from the President.
“Many of them are very timid. They would not want to speak. In fact, some of them don’t want to pick up my calls, even on WhatsApp. They are too scared that they may be found to have spoken to me,” Muturi said.
“I know others who are telling me, ‘Please get somebody to call on your behalf so we can talk through them.’ What does that tell you? Ruto has instilled such fear in his entire Cabinet that people don’t want to speak.”
He further revealed that some CSs have urged him to use intermediaries to communicate with them, an indication, he says, of the level of control the President exercises over his ministers.
Muturi likened President Ruto’s leadership style to that of the late President Daniel Moi, saying he uses both verbal and non-verbal tactics to suppress dissent in the Cabinet.
Ruto’s Two Personalities
“With the experience I’ve gained from working with President Ruto, which was my desire after serving as Speaker for 10 years and MP for two terms, I wanted to serve in the national executive. I think Ruto is a person with two personalities. The one who presents himself to the public is a completely different character from the one who sits behind in the office and crafts stuff, and that person is quite a dangerous character,” he claimed.
“Ruto is a true example of Daniel Moi, no wonder he campaigned against the current Constitution because I think he enjoys a situation where we can go to an imperial presidency. He has disdain for institutions, and that is why he wants to push everything, even in Cabinet,” Muturi said.
The former CS said that in projects where the President has a personal stake, he dominates discussions and uses fear to ensure everyone aligns with his position.
“If you want to know where he has an interest, a CS will make a presentation, and then Ruto will take over and begin to explain, to make sure there is no dissent. He will start instilling fear slowly, saying, ‘You know, no coming late…’”
No Honest Discussions
Muturi said Cabinet meetings have become difficult spaces for honest discussions, with members forced to read the President’s body language rather than speak their minds.
“Before Ruto, you just have to know he has expressed this position and he is looking at you, making suggestions…the look he gives you tells you that in this one, you have no options. He is holding the Cabinet hostage,” he said.
He further noted that ministers now prefer attending committee meetings chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, where they feel freer to contribute.
“Today, in Cabinet, he makes it impossible to have a meaningful conversation. In fact, people enjoy going to Cabinet committee meetings chaired by the DP (Rigathi and Kindiki) because they can share their ideas and speak their mind,” he said.
He further remarked that Ruto is unfit for office.
“Based on my own careful assessment, I have concluded that President William Ruto is unfit to hold the office of the President of the Republic of Kenya. I say this not out of bitterness, but as a reasoned and objective judgment.”
Muturi’s remarks offer a rare insider account of the inner workings of Ruto’s Cabinet, raising questions about the state of internal democracy and freedom of expression within the top ranks of government.
