Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi has criticized his Public Service counterpart, Justin Muturi, over his recent public remarks on cases of abductions.
Wandayi argued that senior government officials should address such concerns within cabinet meetings rather than airing them publicly.
He maintained that Muturi should have raised the matter through the appropriate government channels instead of speaking out in the media.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen Tv on Monday, February 3, 2025, Wandayi stated that if a cabinet member disagrees with the government’s policies or direction, the appropriate course of action is resignation.
“It is a very strange phenomenon for someone to criticize the very government they serve. As a cabinet member, I have ample avenues to voice my concerns within government structures. If, for any reason, I disagree with the policies or direction the government is taking, the only option is to step down,” Wandayi remarked.
The Energy CS further emphasized that he has always stood against human rights violations and does not support abductions. However, he cautioned against making accusations without sufficient evidence.
“No right-thinking individual would support abductions. My track record as a human rights defender is clear—I have never condoned such atrocities. I believe the relevant investigative agencies are working to uncover the truth, and it is not appropriate to point fingers without concrete evidence,” he added.
CS Muturi, whose son was previously abducted and later released, has called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate the rising cases of abductions.
“I urge the President to act immediately to end these abductions and killings. He promised Kenyans that such incidents would not occur under his administration. We must conduct an open inquiry to understand how and why these cases are happening. We cannot allow this to become normal,” Muturi stated.
