Ruto accuses CS Muturi of incompetence over delays in the Muslim Endowment Fund, triggering a legal and political showdown in government.
Kenya’s political leadership is once again under strain, as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Justin Muturi has forcefully rejected accusations of incompetence made by President William Ruto, exposing deepening fault lines in the current administration.
The clash centers on delays in launching the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf), a charitable initiative established under the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022. The project was designed to support Muslim-led social welfare programs but has remained stalled due to legal uncertainties.
🧭 Internal Link: Read our explainer on Kenya’s Waqf Act and Islamic charitable frameworks
Ruto Publicly Rebukes Muturi
Speaking during an Iftar dinner at State House, Nairobi, on March 26, President Ruto did not mince words.
“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 said.
His comments were widely seen as a direct attack on Muturi, who previously served as Attorney General before joining the Cabinet.
Muturi Responds: ‘Fund Has No Legal Basis’
Muturi swiftly fired back via X (formerly Twitter), insisting that the proposed fund has no legal grounding under the current law.
“Under the Waqf Act, there’s no provision for a ‘Muslim Endowment Fund,’” he posted. “A Waqf is a religious, charitable, or benevolent endowment made by a Muslim individual and is managed by the Waqf Commission.”
His response underlined the legal grey areas surrounding the initiative and cast doubt on claims that bureaucratic delay was to blame.
🧭 Internal Link: Learn more about how legal bottlenecks stall state projects
Political Tensions and Personal Grievances
Insiders say tensions between Ruto and Muturi have simmered for months, reportedly worsening after the alleged abduction of Muturi’s son—an incident the Cabinet Secretary believes has not been adequately addressed by the government.
Adding to the controversy, Muturi’s exit report from his time as Attorney General paints a far more competent image than Ruto’s critique suggests.
Muturi’s Legal Track Record: A Mixed Bag
During his two-year tenure as AG, Muturi:
- Successfully defended the state in 1,503 out of 1,588 cases
- Saved the exchequer an estimated Sh17.5 billion ($133 million)
- Secured a Supreme Court win overturning a Sh5.2 billion ($39 million) contractor claim related to a 1997 road maintenance tender
He also played a pivotal role in drafting legal frameworks aligned with Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), including legislation supporting social enterprises.
🧭 Internal Link: Explore our breakdown of BETA-aligned laws passed since 2022
Legal Defeats and Political Fallout
Despite these successes, Muturi’s office also faced critical losses:
- The housing levy, a flagship Ruto policy, was ruled unconstitutional
- The plan to create Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) roles was struck down
- The government failed to overturn a court ruling suspending its ban on GMO imports
Muturi later suggested he had been excluded from some of these legal strategies, pointing to internal divisions in government decision-making.
Rift in Ruto’s Inner Circle
Ruto’s public criticism suggests more than just legal disagreements—it signals a broader power struggle. Muturi’s pushback may reflect growing unease among Ruto’s previously loyal allies.
With Kenya grappling with economic pressures, court battles, and intra-coalition friction, this confrontation could mark the beginning of larger political realignments.
🧭 Internal Link: Read our political analysis on power shifts inside Ruto’s Cabinet
Will Muturi Survive the Fallout?
It remains unclear whether Muturi’s solid legal record will shield him from political consequences. But the public rupture between the President and one of his senior ministers has already intensified scrutiny on the administration’s internal cohesion.
As pressure mounts from all sides, the battle for influence within Kenya’s ruling elite is only just beginning.
