Last week, former Attorney General and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Bedan (J.B.) Muturi dropped a political bombshell. In a searing critique, he declared President William Ruto “unfit” for office, accusing him of entrenched corruption and a dangerous duality of character. These weren’t offhand remarks—they were carefully chosen words from a man who once sat at the heart of Ruto’s administration.
To dismiss Muturi’s allegations as bitterness would be a grave mistake. His claims come from someone who had a front-row seat to the levers of power. Kenya must pay attention—and fast.
Why Muturi’s voice matters
This isn’t an opposition figure angling for airtime. Muturi served as the country’s top legal advisor and later as a Cabinet Secretary overseeing public service. He was no bystander—he was embedded deep in the system. When someone of his stature accuses the president of being “irredeemably corrupt” and “dangerous,” it should set off national alarm bells.
Muturi insists his claims are rooted in “reasoned and objective judgment,” not personal vendetta. That distinction matters.
The Allegations: More Than Just Claims
Muturi recounts a troubling moment at Dubai Airport during COP28 in 2023, where Ruto allegedly pressured him to sign a Sh129 billion deal with Russian oligarchs—bypassing legal safeguards. Muturi says he refused to approve the deal without proper review. If true, this incident suggests a president willing to skirt due process for expediency—or worse, personal gain.
He also accuses Ruto of living a double life: a public image of integrity masking private involvement in corrupt dealings. This kind of duplicity, Muturi warns, makes Ruto unfit to lead. In a country where public trust is already on thin ice, this is a serious charge.
Further, Muturi connects Ruto to the infamous Arror and Kimwarer dam scandals, where billions disappeared into a financial black hole. Ruto has distanced himself from blame, but Muturi’s claim reframes the narrative: these weren’t isolated failures—they were part of a broader pattern of money-making schemes dressed up as development.
Even Ruto’s recent initiatives, like the Russian tree-planting deal, don’t escape scrutiny. “Whenever Ruto comes up with a project, it’s about money,” Muturi said. His words echo a growing suspicion among Kenyans that noble-sounding projects are being used to funnel public resources into private pockets.
Timing and Motives: A Convenient Excuse?
Some may question the timing. Muturi was recently removed from Cabinet, and skeptics may see sour grapes. But this is no emotional outburst. Muturi offers specific details—dates, documents, and names. He speaks with a calm authority that doesn’t sound like vengeance. If anything, it sounds like someone finally unburdening the truth.
Kenya has a history of ignoring early warnings. Goldenberg. Anglo Leasing. The SGR debacle. We’ve seen this pattern before: silence, denial, and eventually, public outrage when it’s too late.
A Test for the Ruto Administration
The president’s allies will likely respond with denials or PR spin. But this moment calls for transparency, not theatrics. If Muturi is wrong, let the evidence prove it—audits, contracts, witness testimonies. But if he’s right, then the country is facing a leadership crisis that cannot be swept under the rug. The Kenyan public deserves more than slogans and staged speeches. They deserve truth, accountability, and leadership that serves the people—not just the powerful.
Muturi has spoken. The ball is now in our court. We can ignore him, as we’ve done too often with whistleblowers—or we can listen, investigate, and demand answers.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: our economy, our democracy, our future.
Written by Vincent Mumba, 2nd year journalism student at MKU main campus
