Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, the former Attorney General (AG), has hit back after President William Ruto labeled him incompetent during his tenure as AG.
At an Iftar dinner at State House yesterday, Ruto criticized Muturi for delaying the rollout of the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf), which had been proposed by Muslim leaders.
“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,” Ruto said.
In response, CS Muturi clarified that the Waqf Act No.8 of 2022 did not include provisions for a Muslim Endowment Fund.
“It must be understood that a waqf is a religious, charitable, or benevolent endowment by someone who professes the Muslim faith, and it is managed by the Waqf Commission,” Muturi explained.
The Waqf Act came into effect on March 31, 2022, but it has yet to be operationalized. On July 12, 2023, Muturi appointed a five-member panel to select the commissioners, as announced in an official gazette notice.
He also wrote to the National Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) requesting a budget and allowances for the panel.
The selection panel held its first meeting on April 18, 2024, before being sworn into office a month later.
On June 11, 2024, Muturi placed an advertisement in local newspapers inviting applications for the Waqf Commissioners.
However, during the shortlisting process, President Ruto dissolved the cabinet amid public backlash following the Gen-Z demonstrations protesting the Finance Bill 2024.
On August 21, 2024, Dorcas Oduor was appointed as the new AG, leaving the process in limbo.
The fallout between Ruto and Muturi deepened when Muturi accused the government of complacency in handling cases of abductions.
