Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has responded sharply to President William Ruto’s criticism of his tenure as Attorney General. During an Iftar dinner at State House on Tuesday, Ruto accused Muturi of incompetence, citing delays in implementing the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf) proposed by Muslim leaders.
The Waqf, an Islamic endowment for religious and charitable purposes, is governed by the Waqf Commission. Ruto remarked, “I had a problem with the AG who was there before—he was fairly incompetent. But now, I have a very competent lady in the position, and I can assure you that the issues of Waqf will be sorted out within months.”
Muturi countered by clarifying that the Waqf Act No.8 of 2022 did not include provisions for a Muslim Endowment Fund. He emphasized, “A waqf is a religious, charitable, or benevolent endowment by a person of Muslim faith, managed by the Waqf Commission.”
This exchange highlights the growing rift between Ruto and Muturi, who has recently criticized the Kenya Kwanza administration’s handling of abductions. The Waqf Act, effective from March 31, 2022, remains unimplemented. Muturi initiated steps to operationalize it, including appointing a five-member selection panel via a gazette notice on July 12, 2023.
Efforts to establish the Waqf Commission faced hurdles, including budget requests to the National Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The selection panel held its first meeting on April 18, 2024, and was sworn in a month later. Muturi advertised for commissioner applications in June 2024, but progress stalled when Ruto dissolved the cabinet amid public protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Dorcas Oduor succeeded Muturi as AG on August 21, 2024, inheriting the unresolved Waqf process. To address the impasse, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, Chairperson of the Waqf Selection Panel, met with AG Oduor on October 17, 2024, to discuss the way forward.
