Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has hit back at President William Ruto after the head of state labeled him "fairly incompetent" during his tenure as Attorney General.
Speaking at an Iftar dinner at State House on Tuesday, Ruto criticized Muturi for allegedly delaying the implementation of the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf), a proposal championed 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,” the president stated.
Muturi swiftly responded, clarifying that the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022 did not include a provision for a Muslim Endowment Fund.
"It must be understood that a waqf is a religious, charitable or benevolent endowment by a person who professes Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission," Muturi retorted.
Ruto’s remarks highlight an escalating rift between the two, following Muturi’s recent accusations that the Kenya Kwanza administration has been complacent in addressing abductions.
The Waqf Act, which came into effect on March 31, 2022, has yet to be fully operationalized. On July 12, 2023, Muturi appointed a five-member selection panel to oversee the appointment of commissioners, making the announcement via a gazette notice. He also sought budget allocations and allowances from the National Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The selection panel held its first meeting on April 18, 2024, before being officially sworn in a month later. On June 11, 2024, Muturi placed a call for applications for Waqf Commissioners through an advertisement in local newspapers.
However, the process was disrupted when President Ruto dissolved the cabinet following public outcry from the Gen-Z-led demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024. On August 21, 2024, Dorcas Oduor assumed the role of Attorney General, with the Waqf selection process still unresolved.
In an effort to move forward, the Chairperson of the Waqf Selection Panel, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, met with AG Oduor on October 17, 2024, to discuss the appointment of commissioners.