AG Dorcas Oduor appoints selection panel to appoint Waqf Commission members
The panel includes Jawahir Keinan Hassan, Al-Hajji Hassan Kirua ole Naado, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome Asmani, Sheikh Abdala Ibrahim Ateka, and Sumayya Hassan.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has appointed a five-member selection panel tasked with nominating candidates for the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf) Commission.
The move is expected to speed up the implementation of the Waqf Act, 2022, which has faced delays since its enactment.
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The panel, according to a gazette notice dated March 28, 2025, includes Jawahir Keinan Hassan, Al-Hajji Hassan Kirua ole Naado, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome Asmani, Sheikh Abdala Ibrahim Ateka, and Sumayya Hassan.
Their appointment, made under Section 7 (1) of the Waqf Act, revokes a previous gazette notice issued in 2023.
Waqf refers to charitable assets whose income is permanently dedicated to religious, educational, and social services.
While the law establishing it was enacted in 2022, operational challenges have slowed its implementation, prompting concerns from the Muslim community.
Muturi criticised
The decision to fast-track the process comes amid public remarks by President William Ruto, who criticised former Attorney General Justin Muturi’s handling of Waqf matters.
Speaking at an Iftar dinner earlier this week at State House, Nairobi, Ruto assured Muslim leaders that the issue would soon be resolved.
“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 Waqf will be sorted out within months,” the President said.
Muturi, in response, defended his record, stating that the existing law does not provide for the establishment of a Muslim Endowment Fund.
He clarified that Waqf is a personal initiative by any individual who professes Islam and is managed by the Waqf Commission.
“Under the Waqf Act No. 8 of 2022, there’s no provision for a ‘Muslim Endowment Fund.’ 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,” Muturi said.
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