Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has made a dramatic political comeback after being reinstated as the Democratic Party (DP) leader. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which unanimously endorsed his return to the helm. However, the reinstatement is pending formal ratification by the National Delegates Convention (NDC) set for later this year.
Muturi expressed gratitude for the NEC’s confidence, terming the decision as a “call to action” to rebuild and reposition the party. “This is not just a personal honour, but a call to action as we rebuild, re-energise, and reposition the Democratic Party for the future,” he said in a statement.
His return follows a bitter fallout with President William Ruto, culminating in Muturi’s ouster as Attorney General in March 2024. Once a key ally who supported Ruto’s presidential bid in 2022, Muturi was appointed Attorney General after stepping down as DP leader in October of that year. However, his tenure was short-lived as relations between the two deteriorated over time.
Muturi became an outspoken critic of the Kenya Kwanza government, particularly on issues of human rights violations, including abductions and extrajudicial killings. His criticism intensified after the alleged abduction of his son, which he publicly linked to state security agents. In response, President Ruto accused Muturi of incompetence and replaced him with Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku in the Ministry of Public Service.
Following his dismissal, the Democratic Party formally severed ties with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. In a letter dated March 7, the party cited irreconcilable differences and a deteriorating relationship as the reason for its exit. “The party’s continued stay within the Kenya Kwanza fold is no longer tenable,” the letter stated.
Founded by the late President Mwai Kibaki, the Democratic Party had fielded Muturi as its presidential candidate in 2022 before joining Kenya Kwanza. His reinstatement signals a renewed push for independence and influence, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election.
