Currently serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, former Attorney General Justin Muturi has been publicly condemned by President William Ruto as being “fairly incompetent.”
Ruto said Muturi had been “fairly incompetent” in handling legal concerns pertaining to the creation of Waqf, a commission that would be in charge of managing Islamic endowments, during an Iftar dinner held Tuesday at State House in Nairobi.
The Head of State promised the Muslim community that these long-standing problems would be settled in a matter of months under the current Attorney General.
“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 Wakf will be sorted out within months,” Ruto said.
He was answering the Muslim leaders’ worries on the protracted process of creating an endowment fund with an Act in place but not yet operationalized.
The President’s criticism of Muturi’s time as AG is the clearest sign of their widening divide to date, especially in light of Muturi’s recent claims that the Ruto administration is involved in extrajudicial executions and kidnappings.
President Ruto reiterated his administration’s dedication to inclusivity, stressing that the government welcomes all communities regardless of background or religion, in addition to discussing Waqf issues.
“All of us, from various communities, religions, and origins, may be accommodated by the Kenyan government. No one has to leave to let someone else in. We now have a broad-based government, in case anyone ever questioned that. Bado haijajaa, everyone is here,” he continued.
Additionally, he promised the Nubian community that they would be formally recognized as a Kenyan community by either Madaraka Day or Jamhuri Day, ensuring them of their legitimate position in Kenyan society.
Concerns regarding the inclusion of religion education in the national curriculum were also discussed by the president. He promised to act after admitting that there had been too long of a delay in mainstreaming religion instruction.
“We’ll keep examining the topics brought up here, including how to integrate religious education into the mainstream and establish a connection between it and formal education. “This has taken too long, and there is no justification whatsoever,” he continued.
