Junet defends Ruto's choice of Makau Mutua as advisor

National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed has defended the move by President William Ruto to pick Professor Makau Mutua as his advisor on Constitutional matters.

Speaking in Suna during an Interdenominational prayer service attended by the President, Junet said it is proof that Ruto wants to run the country within the confines of the law.

He noted that if Ruto was not serious about it, he could have picked anyone to be his advisor.

The legislator hailed the President’s choice of the former Harvard University professor.

“The other day, as part of your programme for picking experts from ODM, you took one of our best experts and scholars, a Harvard University Professor, Makau Mutua. If you did not want to run this country through the Constitution and the rule of law, there is no President who would pick Makau Mutua as his advisor on constitutionalism. It is proof that President William Ruto wants to run this country through the Constitution and the rule of law. Otherwise, he would have picked any other lawyer,” Junet said.

Ruto appointed Mutua as Senior Adviser of Constitutional Affairs in his office.

"Congratulations, Prof Mutua. I welcome you to join a dynamic team of public servants in the implementation of our Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda," Ruto said in a statement Wednesday evening.

Mutua is a former Azimio spokesperson, and his appointment further serves to demonstrate Ruto's commitment to working with the opposition wing led by Raila Odinga, following the signing of their working pact in March.

“I am grateful to His Excellency, President William Ruto, for appointing me Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President. Our Constitution is the beating heart of the Republic. Mr President, I promise to serve you and our fellow citizens with diligence, honour, and distinction,” he had remarked on the appointment.