Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has criticized his successor, Dorcas Oduor, over a widely circulated photo showing her appearing to kneel before President William Ruto—calling the image a symbol of fear-driven governance.
Muturi, who was reassigned to the Ministry of Public Service before being dropped from Cabinet after the June 2024 Gen Z–led anti–Finance Bill protests, has since emerged as an outspoken critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
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“As a former Attorney General, I can confidently say: I would never have done this. I cannot, and will not, worship any human being,” Muturi said in a strongly worded post on X.
He added:
“This image of AG Dorcas Oduor nearly kneeling before the President is disturbing. It confirms what I once said—Cabinet operates under fear.”
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Muturi warned that such displays of submission undermine public trust and institutional independence.
“We must reject this culture of submission. It breeds authoritarianism, not leadership.”
The viral photo sparked heated public debate online, with some defending Oduor’s action as a cultural gesture of respect, while others viewed it as emblematic of power imbalance in government.
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When contacted for comment, AG Dorcas Oduor’s office did not issue an official response. However, a senior State House aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the criticism, saying:
“Kenya remains a democracy. Expressions of respect should not be misconstrued as weakness or fear.”
Political analyst Dr. Linda Wanjiru noted that such incidents often ignite larger conversations about the executive’s influence:
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“In a healthy democracy, independent institutions must be seen to act without fear or favour. Symbolism matters.”
As the image continues to trend, it has reignited scrutiny over the Ruto administration’s leadership style and the evolving role of Cabinet officials in navigating loyalty, service, and personal dignity.
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