Muslim Leaders Urge JSC to Advertise and competitively Recruit the Next Chief Kadhi
Dr. Hassan Kinyua Omari The National Chairman Muslim Professionals/Photo James GItaka
By James Gitaka
The Chairman of the National Muslim professionals Dr. Hassan Kinyua Omari has urged the Judicial Service Commission to advertise the Position of the Chief kadhi that is set to be vacant in Three days’ time.
Speaking in Eldoret Dr. Kinyua says the process of appointing the Next Chief Kadhi should be competitive and in accordance with the law,
“On Third of November the Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar will be retiring, Over the years we have faulted the manner in which the JSC has appointed the Chief kadhi leaning towards one Coastal Community since 1895 , But we are putting it on notice saying The position of chief kadhi should be advertised and filled competitively as required by law “Said Hassan.
Hassan added that there were learned Muslim scholars and Sheikhs in the country willing to fill the position.
“We have many Muslims leaders who are equal to the task of being Chief Kadhi and they deserve an opportunity to serve in the coveted Position ,It’s their right and it should be protected by the Judicial Service Commission,” Noted Hassan
Other Muslim bodies such The National Muslim Advisory council have supported the sentiments calling for a fair and transparent election process of the Chief Kadhi while other bodies have insisted that the JSC should conduct the appointment of Chief kadhi without undue influence.
The Kadhis’ Courts are established under Article 170 of the Constitution of Kenya, Their jurisdiction is limited to the determination of questions of Muslim Law relating to personal status, marriage, divorce or inheritance in proceedings in which all the parties profess the Muslim Religion and submit to the jurisdiction of the Kadhis’ courts.
There are 14 stand-alone Kadhis’ courts in Kenya while the rest are located at various Magistrates courts.
Shariff Abdirahman Saggaf was the first Chief Kadhi, and since then there have been other Kadhis mainly from Lamu, Zanzibar and Mombasa counties.
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