The former Attorney General and National Assembly Speaker called for the legal process to begin against President William Ruto, citing constitutional grounds and the recent crackdown on protesting youth. Muturi said that the immunity a sitting president enjoys under Article 143 of the Constitution does not offer total protection.
“It is high time we began preparing charges against William Ruto,” he declared while speaking at a Gachagua’s aunt’s burial in Nyeri County on Saturday, July 5, 2025. “The immunity in Article 143 is specifically removed by Clause 4. He can be charged.”
His comments come at a time when the country is still reeling from the violent suppression of youth-led protests. Many young people, some as young as 24, have been arrested or injured during demonstrations. Muturi expressed deep concern about the situation.
“We cannot have the children, hawa watoto, being treated like this. This is the future of this country. We cannot make it business as usual.”
Translation: “We cannot have the children, these young ones, being treated like this. They are the future of this country. We cannot treat this as business as usual.”
He condemned what he described as “monumental atrocities” being committed against the youth and warned that remaining silent would amount to complicity. “Silence is complicity,” he told mourners. “We cannot remain silent.”
Murkomen’s recent remarks
Muturi also pointed to recent remarks made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a meeting in Kikuyu.
“…his, because there is command responsibility. In any event, juzi, Murkomen akiongea pale Kikuyu alisema, ‘Mtu akikaribia police station, piga risasi.’ Na watu walipopiga kelele, alisema, ‘Mkiona nikiongea, imetoka juu.’ Juu ni wapi kwingine?”
Translation: “…because there is command responsibility. In any event, just the other day, when Murkomen was speaking in Kikuyu, he said that if someone approaches a police station, they should be shot. And when people raised concerns, he said, ‘If you hear me say it, it has come from above.’ Now, where else is ‘above’ if not the highest office?”
He emphasised the need to invoke the doctrine of primary responsibility, a principle in international law that holds top leaders accountable for actions committed by their subordinates.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
