Tension brews after President Ruto criticized former Attorney General Justin Muturi during a State House Iftar dinner.
CS Muturi Responds After President Ruto Called Him ‘Incompetent’
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has responded after President William Ruto publicly criticized his past performance as Attorney General, labeling him as “incompetent.”
Speaking during an Iftar dinner at State House on the night of Tuesday, March 25, President Ruto blamed delays in the implementation of a Muslim endowment system, known as Waqf, on Muturi’s tenure as AG.
“I had a problem with the AG who was there, he was fairly incompetent. But I now have a very competent lady in that position, and I can assure you that the issues of Waqf will be sorted out in a matter of months,” Ruto stated.
File image of Justin Muturi.
In his response, Muturi clarified that the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022 does not include any provision for the creation of a “Muslim Endowment Fund.” He explained that waqf is a personal religious endowment managed by the Waqf Commission.
“Under the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022, there’s no 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 the Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission,” Muturi stated.
Muturi served as Attorney General from October 2022 to July 2024, before President Ruto dissolved his cabinet. He was later appointed as Public Service CS, while Dorcas Oduor took over the role of Attorney General.
Recently, CS Muturi has voiced concerns over the rise in abductions and extra-judicial killings under the Kenya Kwanza government. Speaking during a media interview on March 12, he stated that resigning would go against his conscience and his responsibility to the youth and constitution.
“I consider it morally wrong for me to resign because I am speaking about constitutionalism and against what we as Kenya Kwanza promised Kenyans would never happen under our watch. Resignation for me would be an act of cowardice and I would be letting the young people down,” he said.
