Severed Ties: Ruto, CS Muturi Elevate Rift to Public Exchanges

President William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi have lashed out at each other in a fierce public spat, introducing a new twist to their rivalry, which before had been just a rumor.

The center of the recent exchange between the two once-tight buddies is the Waqf, a centuries-old Islamic tradition of charitable endowment. President William Ruto, in heeding petitions by the Muslim society, pledged to execute the administration of the Waqf endowment fund by the government.

Ruto, who spoke during an Iftaar session at State House on Tuesday evening, said that the former IG (Justin Muturi) was incompetent and could not expedite the Waqf implementation process, marking the first time the president has openly lashed out at Muturi amid rumors of their fall-out. 

Ruto stated that the government will iron out issues impeding the implementation of the fund through the new Attorney General.

CS Muturi, in a quick rejoinder to President Ruto, stated that the Waqf “endowment fund is not legal as suggested by Ruto. 

“Under the Waqf Act no. 8 of 2022, there’s no provision for a “Muslim Endowment Fund “.” Muturi replied in a post on X.

“It must be understood that a waqf is a religious, charitable, or benevolent endowment by a person who professes the Muslim faith and is managed by the Waqf Commission,” the former IG added.

The public fallout between President Ruto and CS Muturi was one waiting to happen, following Muturi’s recent outburst against Ruto. Muturi alleged that Ruto’s operatives were behind the spate of abductions, including the mistaken abduction of Muturi’s son. Since then the rift has continued to widen. 

However, even with the bitter rivalry simmering, President Ruto has not taken any retaliatory measures against CS Muturi. The CS continues to serve in Ruto’s cabinet, with many curious as to why the president is yet to fire the rogue CS as expected.