President William Ruto fired Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi during a minor Cabinet reshuffling. Ruto picked Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku as the new nominee for the position. The firing happened just after Ruto publicly criticized Muturi for being incompetent in his former Attorney General role. Muturi had recently avoided several Cabinet meetings as he became increasingly vocal against the administration.
During a TV appearance, Muturi revealed he formally requested permission from President Ruto to skip Cabinet meetings. He said he would return when the administration prioritized discussing abductions and extrajudicial killings. Muturi emphasized that he properly submitted his request in writing to Ruto as the Cabinet chairperson. He maintained this approach demonstrated proper procedure rather than defiance.
Tuesday marked the first time the conflict between these officials became clearly visible. Ruto directly criticized Muturi's performance as Attorney General. The criticism centered on Muturi's mishandling of matters related to Waqf—donations Muslims make for religious, educational, or charitable causes. When speaking to Muslim leaders at an Iftar dinner, Ruto assured them his new female Attorney General would resolve these problems within months.
Muturi quickly responded to defend his record. He pointed out that the Waqf Act of 2022 never established any Muslim Endowment Fund, as Ruto suggested. Muturi clarified that the law actually defines Waqf as individual religious, charitable, or benevolent donations from practicing Muslims. He stressed that these contributions must be managed by the Waqf Commission according to law, not through some central fund, as the President had implied.
During a TV appearance, Muturi revealed he formally requested permission from President Ruto to skip Cabinet meetings. He said he would return when the administration prioritized discussing abductions and extrajudicial killings. Muturi emphasized that he properly submitted his request in writing to Ruto as the Cabinet chairperson. He maintained this approach demonstrated proper procedure rather than defiance.
Tuesday marked the first time the conflict between these officials became clearly visible. Ruto directly criticized Muturi's performance as Attorney General. The criticism centered on Muturi's mishandling of matters related to Waqf—donations Muslims make for religious, educational, or charitable causes. When speaking to Muslim leaders at an Iftar dinner, Ruto assured them his new female Attorney General would resolve these problems within months.
Muturi quickly responded to defend his record. He pointed out that the Waqf Act of 2022 never established any Muslim Endowment Fund, as Ruto suggested. Muturi clarified that the law actually defines Waqf as individual religious, charitable, or benevolent donations from practicing Muslims. He stressed that these contributions must be managed by the Waqf Commission according to law, not through some central fund, as the President had implied.
