Muturi denies his advice was ignored while serving as AG

Former AG Justin Muturi when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment for vetting as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Development on August 4, 2024. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary nominee Justin Muturi has denied reports that his advice as Attorney General had been ignored by several government ministries.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula for vetting yesterday, Muturi blamed the media for building the narrative around his name.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed asked Muturi to clarify statements in the public domain that various government departments were not taking his advice while he served as Attorney General and how sure he was as a Cabinet Secretary his advice will be taken.

Muturi said the media can sometimes be very innovative and that the story published a day before he was removed from the AG chambers did not list instances where his advice was ignored. Muturi said 99 per cent of his advisory to government departments had been taken terming the published story as incorrect.

"The office of the Attorney General gives advisory to various government ministries and county governments. I cannot really recall an advisory that was ignored by any government department while I served as the Attorney General. The media reports were not true," said Muturi.

Muturi said his net worth was Sh801 million and that when he appeared before the committee 20 months ago for vetting as Attorney General he was worth Sh761 million, an increase of Sh40 million he attributes to a valuation of the property he owned.

He said he made a proposal to have the office of the Attorney General recruit its own staff since some of those recruited by Public Service Commission were not well versed with what they are supposed to handle.

Junet also askedMuturi to say what he will do about civil servants who are over 60 years old and are still in the public service. Muturi said the President had promised to have elderly servants pave way for younger professionals since the youth were clamouring for job opportunities in government.

"There are around 10 People serving in the Public Service who are over 60 years old. I concur with the President on having those who are past retirement age vacate and create room for others since they have already given their best service to the country," said Muturi.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah asked Muturi to lay out plans he had to ensure that interns in government finally secure jobs. Muturi said his personal view about the programme was that it should be changed into a Kenya National Internship programme.

"If confirmed, I will have a sitting with the Public Service Commission and see how best to address the plight of various cohorts since very few have been absorbed in the public service. It is important for us to create an environment that will enable them to get placements either in the public or private sectors," said Muturi.

Teso South MP Mary Emaase asked the former National Assembly speaker and AG what he will do since his predecessor had suspended recruitment in the public service. She said the service remains with ageing servants yet the youth of Kenya want to know whether they are going to get jobs.

Muturi said there was no circular stopping employment and the issue of ageing staff was true. He said there was need to correct the matter since some senior public servants who are nearing retirement already have individuals deputising them, placed to take over from them.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi asked Muturi to show the vetting panel how he would structure the National Youth Service to have it serve its initial purpose of preparing the youth to serve the country in a more effective way.