Minister Justin Muturi claims President William Ruto ordered his son’s release after National Intelligence Service detained him during last year’s Gen-Z demonstrations.
Kenya’s political landscape has been jolted by explosive claims from Minister of Public Service Justin Muturi, who has accused the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of abducting his son, Leslie Muturi, during last year’s anti-government protests. Muturi’s written statement to police not only implicates the intelligence agency but also reveals President William Ruto’s direct involvement in securing Leslie’s release.
Muturi’s statement marks the first instance where a senior government official has linked President Ruto to knowledge of state-led abductions during the 2024 protests. According to Muturi, his son was taken by “armed, hooded gangsters” on June 22, 2024. After discovering that Leslie was held by the NIS, Muturi sought intervention from Ruto, who reportedly contacted NIS Director-General Noordin Haji and ordered the young man’s release.
The incident occurred during Kenya’s Gen-Z protests, a youth-led movement against tax hikes and corruption. These demonstrations resulted in over 60 deaths and numerous allegations of abductions by state agents, as reported by human rights groups.
Muturi’s testimony contradicts earlier public statements by Ruto, who had expressed concern about allegations of abductions but denied knowledge of who was responsible.
Muturi detailed an account of his visit to Ruto’s official residence on June 23, during which the president allegedly joked about the involvement of senior politicians’ children in the protests. Muturi claims Ruto contacted Haji, who confirmed holding Leslie and promised his release within an hour.
This revelation raises questions about the president’s oversight of Kenya’s security agencies and his administration’s stance on the protests. Despite Ruto’s apparent intervention, his administration has consistently denied systemic involvement in extrajudicial actions during the demonstrations.
The allegations have sparked a political firestorm, with allies of Ruto, such as Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro Onyiego, dismissing Muturi’s claims as baseless. Onyiego has accused Muturi of undermining the government and demanded his resignation.
The controversy also revives scrutiny of the NIS and its role in the abductions. While the NIS has no official spokesperson, past reports have linked it to covert operations targeting anti-government activists.
Adding to the political intrigue, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had also blamed the NIS for Leslie’s abduction during a news conference in June. However, Gachagua was later impeached on unrelated charges, further muddying the waters.
Muturi’s allegations shine a spotlight on Kenya’s handling of dissent and the accountability of its security apparatus. The Gen-Z protests exposed deep-seated frustrations among Kenya’s youth over governance and economic mismanagement. Allegations of extrajudicial detentions and human rights violations during the protests have further strained trust in state institutions.
The controversy also underscores the fragility of Kenya’s political alliances. As a sitting minister and former attorney general, Muturi’s public critique of the government reveals divisions within Ruto’s administration.
The unfolding saga raises critical questions about the Kenyan government’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law. While Ruto’s intervention may have secured Leslie Muturi’s release, the broader implications of state-sanctioned abductions remain unresolved.
As the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and human rights organizations continue to probe these allegations, the case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Kenya’s democracy. Whether this controversy will prompt meaningful reforms or deepen political divisions remains to be seen.
