The High Court on Friday, April 11, ordered the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to immediately reinstate the security detail of former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
The order, which is temporary, was issued by Justice Chacha Mwita pending the determination of a petition challenging the withdrawal of Muturi’s security.
“Pending the hearing and determination of the petition and application, a conservatory order is hereby issued directing the Inspector General of Police to immediately reinstate and/or restore the security of Hon. Justin Muturi, and not to withdraw or interfere with it in any manner until June 24, 2025,” the court order read in part.
On Tuesday, April 8, Muturi revealed that his security detail had been withdrawn, further alleging that his life was in danger. Muturi questioned the motive behind the decision, alleging that the security withdrawal could have been a result of his strong stance against the government.
The former Public Service Cabinet Secretary has been at loggerheads with President William Ruto ever since he exposed the government’s alleged involvement in the spate of abductions witnessed last year. Muturi himself was reportedly a victim, with his son allegedly abducted by National Intelligence Service (NIS) agents at the height of the Gen Z-led protests in June and July.
The former Attorney General, while protesting the move, insisted that having adequate security personnel was both a constitutional right and part of his retirement package. He added that the decision to withdraw his security detail was merely an attempt to intimidate him.
Nonetheless, the former CS reiterated that despite the withdrawal of his security, he would continue to hold President William Ruto’s administration accountable.
“The reaction from the government has been the immediate withdrawal of my security, which happened last evening. My security personnel were instructed not to report to duty because I am fighting the government,” Muturi claimed.
Since his dismissal from government a fortnight ago, Muturi has become one of Ruto’s most vocal critics, accusing him and his administration of various wrongdoings.
In his recent interview with the Nation Media Group (NMG) on Friday, April 4, Muturi made a damning exposé against the president, criticising him for claiming to fight corruption while he allegedly conducted secret graft dealings worth billions of shillings.
During the interview, the former Attorney General recalled how Ruto attempted to coerce him into signing a Ksh129 billion tree planting deal with Russian oligarchs at the country's main airport.
His damning revelations have been met with rebuttal from the government, with Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen recently saying Muturi risked being arrested for allegedly breaching government confidentiality.
On the withdrawal of Muturi’s security, Murkomen clarified that his former colleague’s security could have been escalated down since he was no longer a cabinet member.
