A storm is brewing within President William Ruto’s administration over allegations of incompetence, favoritism, and a glaring disconnect between political appointments and service delivery to Kenyans.
The latest flashpoint involves Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justine Muturi, whom the president recently described as “fairly incompetent”—a lukewarm endorsement that has sparked outrage and exposed deep fissures in government.
Insiders now question whether the head of State is prioritizing loyalty over merit, recycling over-the-hill politicians into key roles while sidelining technocrats capable of driving meaningful change.
The controversy further ensnared Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who faced accusations of ineptitude, raising fears of a government paralyzed by mediocrity.
During a closed-door meeting at State House last week, President Ruto reportedly expressed frustration over delays in public service reforms, turning his ire on Muturi, the former Attorney General.
“You are fairly incompetent, we need more than service delivery,” Ruto allegedly told Muturi, according to a senior official present.
The remark, though seemingly mild, has sent shockwaves through government corridors.
“When the president says ‘fairly incompetent,’ it’s diplomatic code for ‘you’re not cutting it,’” a senior civil servant privy to the discussions told Kurunzi News. “The problem is, why appoint such people in the first place?”
Muturi, a seasoned lawyer but perceived as a political appointee, has struggled to streamline the public service, with delays in digitization, sluggish wage bill reforms, and persistent corruption scandals plaguing his docket.
“In my time as the Attorney General,I executed my roles diligently always giving legal opinion on various issues which ministries failed to heed,”Muturi explained.
“They should come out and say where I failed. I’m a man of integrity,all I do is face the bullets like in case of abduction and youth killings -that shouldn’t have happened.”
The spotlight also turned to hounded Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose leadership came under scrutiny. A recent internal assessment report leaked to newsrooms described his office as “dysfunctional,” with infighting and poor coordination stalling key projects.
“Gachagua is more focused on political survival than governance,” an MP allied to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition said on condition of anonymity. “He spends more time fighting perceived enemies than delivering for Kenyans.”
Gachagua, however, dismissed the claims as propaganda. “My record speaks for itself. Those questioning my competency are enemies of progress,” he retorted during a recent church service in Murang’a.
“Yes. I’m incompetent because I did not defend corrupt Adani deals. I did not betray the promises we made to Kenyans on demolitions,money in their pockets and forceful disappearances.”
Critics argue that Ruto’s appointments reflect a troubling trend—rewarding political loyalty over capability. From recycled politicians to underqualified allies, the government is increasingly viewed as a retirement home for spent forces rather than a dynamic engine for change.
“Look at the Cabinet,” a disillusioned UDA insider lamented. “Half of them are here because of political debts, not because they have anything to offer Kenyans.”
Even some within Ruto’s camp admit the problem. “We have people in office who shouldn’t be there,” a senior State House aide confided. “But removing them would upset the political balance, so we’re stuck with them.”
Public Service in Peril
The fallout is evident in deteriorating service delivery. Long queues at government offices, stalled projects, and a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy have left citizens frustrated.
“If those in charge are only ‘fairly competent,’ what hope do ordinary Kenyans have?” posed activist Boniface Mwangi. “This government is big on rhetoric but small on results.”
For President Ruto, the dilemma is acute. Removing underperforming officials risks alienating key allies, yet retaining them undermines his promise of a transformative “Bottom-Up” agenda.
“He’s in a bind,” Kisii Senator observed. “He must choose between rewarding loyalty and delivering results. Right now, loyalty is winning.”
As pressure mounts, the question remains: Will Ruto crack the whip, or will Kenyans continue paying the price for a government struggling with its own mediocrity?
