Muturi: Ruto wrong on Muslim endowment fund, it has no legal backing

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has dismissed President William Ruto’s criticism that he was fairly incompetent as Attorney General.

Addressing a delegation from the Muslim community during Iftar dinner at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, Ruto apologised for the delay in establishing Waqf, an endowment fund into which people who profess the Muslim faith contribute money or property for religious or charitable benefit.

He accused Muturi of failing to act on the issue, promising that Dorcas Oduor, who replaced him at Sheria House, will swiftly deal with it.

“On Waqf, I agree with you; it has taken too long. There is no reason for the delay, and I had a problem with the AG who was there. He was fairly incompetent, but now I have a very competent lady, and I can assure you the issues of Waqf will be sorted out,” he added.

However, in a post on his verified X account, Muturi, who has been at loggerheads with the government over abductions and extrajudicial killings, quoted the Waqf Act, noting that it does not provide for an endowment fund.

“Under the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022, there is 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 Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission,” read the post, which had attracted 46,000 views in less than three hours.

In marks yet another rift between President Ruto and Muturi, who has been missing from Cabinet meeting since going public to criticise the government for abducting young Kenyans, including his own son, Leslie.

He said Leslie was later released after the President called National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji and directed him to set him free.

Muturi has defended his decision to skip Cabinet meetings, saying he asked to be excused until the issue is made part of the agenda.

“Attending Cabinet meetings is mandatory unless excused by the President. I have formally written and requested to be excused from attending these meetings until or unless the issue of abductions and extrajudicial killings is officially tabled before Cabinet through a Cabinet memorandum,” he posted on X on March 12 when he allso made an appearance on Citizen TV’s JK Live show.

He has also been vocal that he does not fear being fired for speaking the truth and defending Kenyans and would not resign as Ruto allies want.

“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 added.

It is believed that President Ruto has avoided firing him so as not to antagonise the Mt Kenya region further following the fallout sparked by the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as deputy president last October.

He is planning an extensive tour of the region next week.