Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has lauded President William Ruto following the appointment of five candidates from Muslim background to be members of the selection panel for the appointment of Members of the Waqf Commission.
The commission is mandated to manage Islamic endowments, ensure proper administration of charitable assets and address legal concerns that have hindered progress for years.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor appointed five members for the commission via a Gazette notice dated March 28, 2025.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7(1) of the Waqf Act, the Attorney General appoints- Jahawir Keinan Hassan, Al-Hajji Hassan Kirua ole Naado, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome Asmani, Sheikh Abdala Ibrahim Ateka and Sumayya Hassan to be Members of the selection panel for the appointment of Members of the Waqf Commission, for the purpose of nominating suitable candidates for appointment as members of Waqf commission,” read the notice.
Duale expressed gratitude to President Ruto for honouring his commitment towards establishment of the commission, stating that the Attorney General’s appointment reaffirmed his dedication to fulfilling his promises towards the Muslim community in the country.
“We extend our gratitude to President William Ruto for staying true to his commitment to the Muslim community,” Duale said on social media on Saturday.
“He had assured that, under the leadership of Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, the long-standing legal challenges affecting the community would be resolved within months, and now, decisive action is underway.”
The Health CS acknowledged the critical role trhe Waqf commission plays in managing Islamic endowments and ensuring proper administration of charitable assets.
“By establishing a selection panel for appointing members of the Waqf Commission, the government has taken a crucial step toward resolving the prolonged stalemate,” he said.
A waqf is an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law.
The Waqf Act came into force on March 31, 2022.
The Act mandates the Waqf Commission to manage donations including buildings, land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitable purposes with no intention of reclaiming the assets.
The commission is also mandated with registering, administering and managing Waqf properties registered under the Waqf Act, 2022.
