Muturi made his bed, he must now lie on it

Public Service CS Justin Muturi. To his fans and village folks, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Bedan Muturi is simply JB, but to President William Ruto, he has become a thorn in the flesh. Some observers say the man has grown political teeth. Others, however, think that by linking the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to the abductions wave, JB gambled a lot, and sang his own dirge. Nonetheless, Mr Muturi isn't your ordinary politician. As the first Speaker under the 2010 Constitution, a former Attorney General and a one-time Siakago MP, he understands the 'system' in and out. The man from Embu County, who got installed as an elder and Gema spokesman at the 'Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga' shrine in 2021, may be branded the most biased Speaker in Kenya's parliamentary history, but many Kenyans out there adore his mettle. The way I see it, Mr Muturi's outburst this week is a pure 2027 gimmick. He is a fraidy-cat using the heat of the moment to deliver a soft but hard tackle on President Ruto. He claims the big man called NIS chief Noordin Haji on phone to have his son, Leslie Muturi, freed. But two lingering questions betray JB's narrative and intention: If his son was abducted in June last year, did he have to wait this long to 'spill the beans' in January 2025? And if he was truly aggrieved, why did he accept a portfolio in the broad-based Cabinet crafted soon after his son's abduction? Methinks Mr Muturi's risky move was influenced by five factors. One, coming hardly a month after he was booed while reading President Ruto's speech at a funeral in Embu, the former speaker hopes that should his region slip further out of Kenya Kwanza grip, he will quickly become kingpin. Two, having seen the direction of things since the 2024 Gen-Z protests, Mr Muturi knows he has lost favour within the Kenya Kwanza rank and file. The earlier he leaves the better. That's why when Kimani Ichungwa, Sylvanus Osoro and other Ruto MPs threatened to censure him, he dared them to 'bring it on.' And three, imagining that 'mlima' won't field a presidential candidate in 2027, the Public Service CS believes he fits the bill. He could team up with ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Mr Jeremiah Kioni, Mr Ferdinand Waititu and others to give the presidency a stab against Ruto. Four, Mr Muturi knows the elevation of Prof Kithure Kindiki to deputy president doesn't mean the region will retain the number two slot in 2027. Thus, the former AG believes if he bolts out now, he will overshadow Prof Kindiki then negotiate to be President Ruto's running mate. Finally, JB could be eying Cecily Mbarire's Embu governor seat. Despite these ambitions which could make or break him, Mr Muturi faces hurdles. The region is divided, with leaders like Martha Karua, Mwangi wa Iria, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Kimani Ichung'wa and Moses Kuria asserting themselves. This fragmentation has weakened their ability to consolidate numbers. Mr Muturi equally must remember that away from former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Gachagua, it will take a miracle for his region to get another 'horse' capable of becoming president or deputy given the changing dynamics like the Gen-Z factor. Granted, part of Mt Kenya will still cast its lot with Ruto. Additionally, clan dynamics among the Embu, Meru, Kikuyu, Mbeere and Tharakas will complicate any effort to unite the bloc. It's like cutting a 'mugumo' tree with a razor. Ultimately, the gamble will backfire. Whether he is sacked or survives, Mr Muturi won't be in Ruto's inner circles. Also, this week's visit to State House by Mr Kiraitu Murungi must worry him (JB) to the core in the event of a Cabinet reshuffle. Without proper mobilisation skills, Mr Muturi's ability to unite Mt Kenya to make him kingpin is obviously questionable. He made his bed and must lie on it. He is in the throes of political Siberia. The writer is a communications practitioner. X:@markoloo

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