Rift Valley Muslim Leaders Back Parliamentary Probe Into SUPKEM Wrangles
“This is not just about SUPKEM as an institution—it is about restoring the trust of the Muslim community and protecting the sanctity of Hajj,”
Muslim leaders from the North Rift need for a thorough audit of SUPKEM’s finances and operations and disputes at the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
Muslim leaders from the NorthRift region have thrown their weight behind a parliamentary committee formed to investigate governance disputes at the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
The leaders, led by Sheikh Abubakar Bini, emphasized that the probe is critical to restoring accountability in the council and safeguarding the interests of pilgrims preparing for the annual Hajj.
“This investigation must be carried out with utmost integrity and urgency so that Muslim faithful are not hindered from fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam, which is the Hajj,” said Sheikh Bini.
They urged Ainamoi MP Hilary Kiplang’at, who chairs the committee, to conduct a comprehensive audit and publish the findings without delay.
Calls for Audit and Accountability
Rashid Kiplagat, Chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), Uasin Gishu chapter, echoed the need for a thorough audit of SUPKEM’s finances and operations.
“The time has come for transparency. An independent audit will reveal whether funds meant for pilgrims were properly utilized. This is the only way to restore confidence among Muslims,” Kiplagat said.
Mubarak Kiptoo, leader of the Eldoret Muslim Association, also called for decisive reforms at SUPKEM.
“We cannot continue with business as usual when pilgrims are complaining of poor services and unexplained charges. A financial and governance audit will help identify where the rot lies,” Kiptoo stressed.
The leaders further demanded that SUPKEM National Chairman Hassan Ole Naado and his executive committee step aside during the inquiry to allow impartial investigations.
Mounting Pressure Over Hajj Mismanagement
SUPKEM has faced sharp criticism in recent months following allegations of mismanagement of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. Reports from pilgrims and Hajj agents point to:
- The suspension of at least 17 agents under unclear circumstances.
- Complaints of poor conditions in Saudi Arabia, including inadequate sanitation and overcrowded tents.
- Commission fees imposed on agents rising from $20 to $100 per pilgrim, a move widely seen as exploitative.
One coastal-based agent told local media that SUPKEM’s unilateral control “threatens to cripple the entire Hajj sector in Kenya and could even affect government revenue from VAT.”
Leaders Demand Urgency
Sheikh Bini underscored that restoring order in SUPKEM is not just about institutional leadership but also about protecting the religious rights of Muslims.
“This is not just about SUPKEM as an institution—it is about restoring the trust of the Muslim community and protecting the sanctity of Hajj,” he said.
The parliamentary committee led by Hilary Kiplang’at is expected to begin hearings in the coming weeks. Its findings could open the door to long-overdue reforms in SUPKEM and reassure thousands of Kenyan Muslims planning to travel for Hajj in the coming years.
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