Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has disclosed that he was reluctant to take over the role of Attorney General, and that President William Ruto and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had to persuade him.
Muturi said that he had anticipated taking on the role of a minister in Ruto’s Cabinet. But when the government was being constructed in 2022, Ruto instead asked him to become the Attorney General.
“I started noticing things were not as I had expected, particularly regarding my role,” Muturi said during an interview with K24.
“When he gave me the job of Attorney General, I initially declined. I told him that is not the job I wanted when we agreed to form the government.”
Muturi indicated that he initially declined the appointment without much explanation of why he made that choice.
However, a few days later, Moses Wetang’ula, one of his longtime university friends, urged him to reconsider the decision.
“I told Moses, you know I am a stickler for the law. I was hesitant about taking up the role of principal legal adviser because I wasn’t sure I’d be allowed to carry out the job independently,” he said.
Despite his concerns, Muturi stated that President Ruto remained adamant and insisted on his appointment.
Muturi: Ruto Gave Me His Word Before I Accepted AG Role
During a State House session several days prior to when the Cabinet was announced, Justin Muturi recalled when President Ruto personally revived his invitation for him to become Attorney General.
“He told me, ‘JB, I still want you to be my AG,’” Muturi recounted. “But I told him I would prefer to serve in a ministry. I value legal independence and would rather stand by my professional principles than offer advice simply to please the administration.”
According to Muturi, Ruto responded by saying that very integrity was what made him the right fit for the job.
“When I raised concerns about being involved in procurement matters, he said, ‘That is exactly why I want you,’” Muturi said.
Eventually, Muturi accepted the position but only after Ruto gave him a personal assurance.
“I told him, ‘If you promise that I’ll work without interference, then I’ll take it.’ He gave me his word,” Muturi said.
He went on to serve as Attorney General until July 11, 2024, when President Ruto dissolved the entire Cabinet amid widespread national protests. In the reshuffle that followed, Muturi was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service.
