Supremacy wars at the State Law Office headed by immediate former Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai could have elbowed him out after a six-year stint.
Prof Muigai took over from long serving Attorney General Amos Wako who is now the Busia Senator in 2011 after his appointment by retired President Mwai Kibaki.
However, as details emerge, there was incessant Infighting, supremacy wars and mistrust between the outgoing AG and Solicitor General Njee Muturi.
Muturi in the setting of roles at the State Law Office was technically Muigai’s deputy.
However, he passed off as a man close to state power and who on several occasions antagonized his boss.
A senior state counsel intimated that the rift between the AG and Solicitor General was indeed there.
“It was like they were reading from different scripts. The Solicitor General used to assume some roles which traditionally belong to the AG, while Muigai, on many occasions, appeared reluctant to question his actions,” said the state counsel as quoted by the Standard.
Muturi has been perceived as one close to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Muigai resigned on Tuesday and it was not immediately known what could have inspired his decision.
Uhuru in acceptance of his resignation praised him for his dedication in serving as the Chief Government adviser.
“I have received with regret the resignation of Attorney General Githu Muigai. I thank him for his service for the last six and a half years,” said the President via twitter.
Prof Muigai over the time he has been in the AG’s office was hailed due to his firm grasp of the law that has come with many years of practice.
He has been touted within the legal circles as a professional who did not shy away from antagonizing government for a justified course.
A case in point is in 2016 when he backed the Judicial Service Commission in its recommendation to form a tribunal to investigate former Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi over bribery allegation by former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.
The President is reportedly said to have been against this recommendation by JSC citing it could precipitate a constitutional crisis.
In 2014, Prof Muigai advised against some clauses in the controversial Security Amendments law. Some MPs said the Solicitor General fully backed the amendments, contradicting his boss.
“Mr Muturi was all over Parliament running up and down to ensure the Bill passed. He became the face of the state law office, eclipsing his boss Prof Muigai,” former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar said at the time as further quoted by the Standard.
Despite the much infighting, the two maintained they enjoyed a cordial relationship.