NAIROBI, Kenya – Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has come out strongly to defend his track record as Kenya’s Attorney General (AG) following President William Ruto’s remarks that labeled his tenure as “fairly incompetent.”
Speaking during a State House Iftar dinner for Muslim community leaders, Ruto criticized Muturi for delays in operationalizing the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf), which had been proposed by Muslim leaders.
“I agree with you that the Muslim Endowment Fund has taken too long. There is no reason. I had a problem with the AG who was there, he was fairly incompetent, but we now have a competent lady, and I can assure you that the issue will be sorted out,” the President stated.
Ruto’s comments came in response to concerns raised by the Muslim leaders about the prolonged implementation of the Waqf Act (2022).
Muturi, however, refuted the claims, clarifying that the Waqf Act does not specifically provide for the creation of a centralized Muslim Endowment Fund.
“Under the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022, there’s no provision for a Muslim Endowment Fund. A Waqf is a personal initiative by a Muslim individual and is managed by the Waqf Commission,” he said.
In a rebuttal, Muturi released a detailed scorecard of his tenure as AG, emphasizing his accomplishments in legal reforms, litigation, and advisory services.
Among the highlights, Muturi revealed that his office had successfully defended over 1,500 cases, saving the government KSh 17.5 billion in legal claims.
Notable cases included a KSh 5.2 billion Supreme Court appeal by Kabuito Contractors Limited and a KSh 3.77 billion case against Torino Enterprises Ltd.
His office also played a crucial role in defending Kenya’s interests in international arbitration cases, where claims exceeded KSh 632 billion.
On the legislative front, Muturi noted the drafting of 36 key bills, including the Affordable Housing Bill and the Gambling Control Bill, and the processing of 110 subsidiary legislations.
His tenure also oversaw tax law amendments and reforms to align legislation with the Constitution.
Muturi highlighted his office’s involvement in key national initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Scheme, which registered 300,000 applicants and completed 10 projects.
The AG’s office also facilitated legal support for programs like the Hustler Fund, the Green Hydrogen/Ammonia Project, and negotiations on public-private partnerships.
In national registration services, his office processed over 60,000 marriage registrations, generating KSh 116.8 million, and introduced online registration through E-Citizen, which handled 26,044 applications worth KSh 69.9 million.
Muturi also underscored his efforts in public trusteeship, where KSh 3.1 billion was disbursed to widows, widowers, and orphans, and in legal aid services, which benefited 122,221 vulnerable individuals across 10 counties.
As part of his reforms, Muturi’s office addressed over 1,000 complaints against advocates, resulting in seven disbarments and three suspensions.
Additionally, KSh 15 million was recovered for aggrieved complainants through Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.
This exchange between Ruto and Muturi marks a rare public disagreement between the President and one of his Cabinet Secretaries.
While Ruto criticized Muturi’s handling of the Waqf matter, the former AG’s detailed response paints a broader picture of his contributions to governance and national development.
