Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has told off critics calling for his resignation, stating that he will not step down for speaking out on matters of constitutionalism.
In an interview on Wednesday, March 12, Muturi said resigning would go against his principles and the promises made by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He dismissed claims that his stance was at odds with the government, insisting that his position is rooted in defending the interests of Kenyans.
“I consider it morally wrong for me to resign because I am speaking about constitutionalism and against what we as Kenya Kwanza, promised Kenyans would never happen under our watch. Resignation for me would be an act of cowardice and I would be letting the young people down,” he said.
Muturi also took a firm stance against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, saying he would not be intimidated for calling out the vices.
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“If I am fired for speaking against abductions and extrajudicial killings, which are unconstitutional, then so be it,” he declared.
Muturi further highlighted steps that he had taken to push for accountability on abductions and extrajudicial killings at the highest level of government.
“It is mandatory to attend cabinet meetings unless excused by the President. I have written and sought to be excused from attending cabinet meetings until or unless the agenda of abductions and extrajudicial killings is formally tabled before cabinet through a cabinet memorandum,” he stated.
During the same interview, Muturi spoke on Democratic Party of Kenya, which he was previously associated with, departing from the Kenya Kwanza coalition
He said that he was not involved in the decision, as the law prohibits appointed state officers from holding political party positions.
"As you know, the Constitution of Kenya provides that any appointed state officer shall not hold any office in a political party. Therefore, as has been stated, for me to take up an appointive position as the Attorney General, I had to resign as the leader of the party.
"I do not participate in the activities of the party in any of its organs because it would be a violation of the Constitution," he stated.
Muturi further explained that the Democratic Party was under no obligation to consult him before making the move to leave Kenya Kwanza.
"The party doesn't have to inform me about the activities that they are doing because they do the normal meetings and are at liberty to make whatever decision they feel is in the best interest of the party.
"Therefore, they did not have to inform me about the decision to write to the Registrar of Political Parties about their desire to exit the coalition," he added.
