The selection panel for the Waqf Commission has recommended eight nominees for appointment, paving the way for the establishment of the body mandated to oversee Muslim charitable endowments and safeguard endowed property in Kenya.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said on Wednesday, October 14, that the panel had completed its mandate and submitted its report, together with the names of the eight recommended candidates.
The recruitment attracted 148 applications, with 35 candidates shortlisted and interviewed between September 14 and 18 at the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Nairobi.
The panel also received 39 written submissions after inviting members of the Muslim community to give their views on the shortlisted candidates.
The eight nominees comprise one alim, a Muslim scholar versed in Islamic jurisprudence, one prominent businessperson or entrepreneur, and six individuals with relevant professional or technical expertise.
The Attorney General’s office said the selection process assessed the candidates’ suitability, knowledge of the legal framework governing waqf, and compliance with the leadership and integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
The panel also verified supporting documents and statutory clearances before scoring and evaluating the candidates.
“The completion of the selection process marks an important milestone towards the operationalisation of the Waqf Commission and the realization of its statutory mandate,” Oduor said in a statement.
The office will now process the recommendations and formally appoint the commission members in accordance with the law.
Established under the Waqf Act, 2022, the commission will register awqaf, administer and manage registered waqf properties, supervise their management, and oversee the implementation of the law.
Speaking during an Iftar dinner with Muslim leaders at State House, Nairobi, President William Ruto blamed delays on former Attorney General Justin Muturi and said the matter would be resolved under his successor, Dorcas Oduor.
Muturi disputed Ruto’s account, saying he had initiated the process of operationalising the Waqf Act before leaving the Attorney General’s office.
On August 5, 2026, during a meeting with Muslim clerics at State House, Ruto said public participation and awareness activities had caused delays but had been completed.
“The first process encountered some obstacles because the law required us to conduct sufficient public participation and ensure that Muslims across the country were made aware of it. That work is now complete.
Awqaf are properties or assets endowed for charitable, religious or other purposes recognised under Islamic law. Their management involves safeguarding the assets and ensuring that their income and benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
The commission will also develop policies, build the capacity of trustees, raise public awareness on waqf matters, and oversee the collection of zakat and other charitable contributions in accordance with the law.
The selection panel consulted Muslim institutions and communities in Nairobi, Nakuru, Garissa, Kisumu, Mombasa and Malindi.
The consultations highlighted the need for trustworthy leadership, protection of endowed property, reliable records and accessible services across the country.
The panel also recommended digitising records on waqf properties, including titles, leases, trustees, beneficiaries, income, liabilities and disputes.
It further called for the timely development of regulations to support implementation of the Act, including clear registration and reporting frameworks.
The recommendations are intended to improve accountability, strengthen the management of endowed assets and build public confidence in their administration.
The panel was appointed by the Attorney General through Gazette Notice No. 18996 dated December 24, 2025, pursuant to Section 7 of the Waqf Act, 2022.
