Ruto fires Justin Muturi, nominates Mbere North MP Kiringa Ruku to replace him
Sacking comes houses after president said he was fairly incompetent as AG
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special programmes Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has been sacked in the latest Cabinet mini-reshuffle by President William Ruto.
Muturi has been replaced by Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku.
Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei said the move is aimed ensuring the Cabinet achieves its constitutional full strength, a move that would bolster the administration’s capacity to continue to steer Kenya’s socio-economic transformations.
The sacking of Muturi comes hours after the president accused him of being fairly incompetent as Attorney General.
Speaking during an Iftar dinner at State House yesterday, Ruto expressed confidence in the current Attorney General, Dorcas Oduor, assuring Kenyans that key legal matters would be addressed promptly.
“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,” he said.
In his response to the president’s remarks, Muturi said there is no provision for a Muslim Endowment Fund under the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022.
The sacked Public Service CS also pointed out that the waqf is 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 Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission,” Muturi stated.
Muturi, a former National Assembly Speaker, served as AG from October 2022 until July last year, when President Ruto dissolved his Cabinet.
He was later appointed as the Public Service CS while Dorcas Oduor replaced him.
CS Muturi has in recent weeks slammed the Ruto government over the rise of abductions and extra-judicial killings.
In an interview mid this month, Muturi said he woould not resign from Cabinet, noting that such a move would go against his principles and the promises made by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He has, however, been skipping Cabinet meetings though he said he asked to be excused until the issue is scheduled for discussion through a Cabinet memo.
