NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 12 – The High Court in Nairobi has directed the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to reinstate the security detail of former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi without delay.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued the conservatory order on April 11, 2025, at the Milimani Law Courts, in response to a petition filed by Muturi.
The petition, which also names the State Law Office and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) as respondents, challenges the withdrawal of his security, citing potential violations of constitutional rights.
“The Inspector General of Police is hereby directed to immediately reinstate and/or restore the security of Hon. Justin Muturi, and to refrain from withdrawing or interfering with the same in any manner until June 24, 2025,” the court order stated.
Justice Mwita noted that the petition raises substantial constitutional questions, thus warranting urgent judicial attention.
The court also issued timelines for the legal process: the respondents have 14 days to file and serve their responses, after which Muturi may submit a supplementary affidavit and written submissions within the same period.
The respondents will then be granted another 14 days to file their final submissions. Each side is limited to submissions not exceeding 10 pages. The matter is scheduled for highlighting of submissions on June 24, 2025.
A penal notice attached to the order warned that non-compliance would invite legal consequences.
The case stems from the unexplained withdrawal of two armed police officers previously assigned to Muturi.
The former Public Service Cabinet Secretary said the officers were directed not to report to duty on the morning of April 8, effectively leaving him without state-provided security.
Muturi, who was dismissed from Cabinet on March 26, 2025, following a speculated fallout with President William Ruto, claims he was not given any formal explanation for the move.
“My security detail was withdrawn last night at around 7:30 p.m. The officers, assigned to me due to my position as a former Speaker, were told not to report to work today. If this is another attempt to intimidate me, they have dialed the wrong number,” Muturi said.
He further argued that under the Retirement Benefits Act, former Speakers are entitled to personal security, and alleged that his officers were removed under the pretext that he is “fighting the government.”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen responded to the controversy by saying he has not received a formal complaint from Muturi and dismissed suggestions that the security withdrawal was politically motivated.
He advised that the matter falls under the purview of the Inspector General of Police and should be handled procedurally.