In a striking political comeback, Justin Muturi has been reinstated as leader of the Democratic Party of Kenya—nearly three years after stepping aside to join President William Ruto’s Cabinet.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) voted unanimously to return Muturi to the helm, saying the time had come for a fresh start.
“A new chapter begins for the Democratic Party,” Muturi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. “I sincerely thank the NEC for their confidence in me and their unanimous resolution to reinstate me as Party Leader with immediate effect.”
The move must still be approved by the party’s National Delegates Convention, expected later this year.
Muturi, once a close ally of President Ruto, had stepped down as party leader in October 2022 after being appointed Attorney General. But cracks in that alliance widened over time—particularly after Muturi began speaking out against the government.
In January 2025, he accused State agents of abducting his son, sparking a public fallout. Two months later, in a Cabinet reshuffle, President Ruto dismissed him. Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku was tapped to replace him.
“It’s not just a personal honour,” Muturi said of his reinstatement. “It’s a call to action as we work together to rebuild, re-energise, and reposition our party for the future.”
The Democratic Party, founded in 1991 by the late President Mwai Kibaki, is one of Kenya’s oldest political outfits. Though it played a minor role in the 2022 election—allying with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition—it has now cut ties with the government.
In March, the party formally notified the Registrar of Political Parties of its exit from Kenya Kwanza, citing breaches in the coalition agreement. It was the first party to do so since the coalition was formed in 2022.
Muturi has since been seen aligning with key opposition figures, including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, ex-CS Fred Matiang’i, and former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende. Even Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, himself on shaky ground with the President, has reportedly been in touch.
Political analysts say Muturi’s return adds weight to a growing opposition bloc. “His reinstatement reflects a shifting tide,” said Professor Karuti Kanyinga, a political scientist at the University of Nairobi. “Many leaders who once backed Ruto are now reassessing their positions ahead of 2027.”
Still, critics say the Democratic Party’s influence remains limited without a grassroots base.
Whether Muturi can reignite the party’s legacy—or is simply positioning himself for a bigger opposition role—remains to be seen. For now, his message is clear: he’s back, and he’s not staying quiet.
