Attorney General Justin Muturi has silenced critics pushing him to resign from his post after his recent stance declaring the Affordable Housing Levy unconstitutional.
His letter to the Kenya Revenue Authority asserting that there is no legal framework for the collection of the fund had sparked speculations about his fate in the executive.
Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi was among the notable politicians asking the AG to quit his role as the advisor of the President, noting that a disagreement on such a matter would only be followed by resignation.
“In a mature democracy the AG letter to KRA should have been followed by his resignation letter,” Caleb Amisi posted in reaction to letter.
“Once you disagree with the government, which is the primary consumer of your services, please resign. This government will show us wonders! We are going to witness medieval form of government like never before.”
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But AG Muturi in his response downplayed the resignation demands, stating that he only stated what the court had ruled, and that the government had obliged.
In addition, the former Speaker said the new Affordable Housing Bill in parliament would help to cover the gap.
“You don’t resign for stating what the court has ruled and is being implemented by the government,” AG Muturi replied.
“That’s why there is a new Bill before Parliament to address the issues pointed out by the court.”
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Justin Muturi sparks reshuffle speculations with a letter
In the letter addressed to KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, AG Muturi warned the taxman against deducting the levy, citing the findings of the Court of Appeal which ruled that there was no legal basis providing for its collection and management.
This was among the few times the AG appeared going against the government’s stance and hence sparked speculations about the implications.
Muturi has been seen as a man under siege in the government, with reports claiming that Kenya Kwanza authorities were out to sideline him.
In a recently tabled bill, National Government Administration Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the executive is seeking to delete a section of the law that recognizes the AG as the sole custodian of the Public Seal.
If passed, the amendment would see the President assume the role of being the custodian of the seal which is used on key government documents.
The changes have since sparked jitters over the intention of the executive, with members of the public reading a plan to clip the AG’s wings.
