Muslim Leaders Hail Parliament’s Probe Into SUPKEM Leadership Crisis

 

Muslim leaders from the North Rift region have welcomed the National Assembly's move to initiate a probe into the ongoing leadership crisis within the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), raising hopes for long-awaited reforms in the embattled institution.

This follows a formal petition filed by Jamal Diriwo Omari, a Muslim resident of Uasin Gishu County, who has accused SUPKEM’s current leadership, under Al-Hajj Hassan Ole Naado, of gross incompetence, lack of transparency, and violation of the council’s constitution.

The petition, dated August 21, 2025, was officially acknowledged by Parliament and has been referred to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) for review. It seeks a full audit of SUPKEM’s finances and waqf (endowment) properties over the past 20 years, citing deep-rooted governance failures.

“The current leadership has lost the confidence of Kenyan Muslims. SUPKEM has failed in its duty to serve as the umbrella body for all Muslim organisations in Kenya,” Omari stated in the petition.

He further called for the resignation or removal of the National Executive Committee and proposed the formation of an interim committee of respected Islamic scholars to oversee the council for a 90-day period and organize fresh elections.

Citing multiple articles of the Constitution, including Articles 50, 47, 27, 32, 35, and Chapter Six on leadership and integrity, Omari urged Parliament to act in the public interest to restore accountability within the faith-based body.

In a communication signed by Jeremiah Ndombi on behalf of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Parliament confirmed that the petition met the required threshold under the Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) Act, Cap 7E. However, it clarified that its jurisdiction is limited by Articles 8, 32, and 36 of the Constitution, which protect religious institutions from state interference.

“Parliament will act strictly within the confines of the law. Matters touching on internal governance of faith-based bodies must respect the principle of religious freedom,” the letter read. However, it added that JLAC may consider mediation and conciliation as part of its approach.

North Rift Muslim Leaders Applaud Move

Reacting to the development, Muslim leaders from the North Rift region, led by Sheikh Asman Koskei and Jamal Diriwo Omari, praised Parliament’s intervention.

“We thank Parliament for listening to our concerns and tasking the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to look into the SUPKEM crisis,” said Sheikh Koskei during a press briefing in Eldoret. “For too long, mismanagement and lack of transparency have paralyzed critical programs, including the organisation of Hajj pilgrimages.”

He called on the government to work closely with credible Islamic organisations such as the Kenya Muslims League and Professional Africa to ensure inclusive reform.

“We need a broader dialogue involving all key Muslim stakeholders to restore trust and unity in SUPKEM’s leadership,” he added.

Years of Infighting and Legal Battles

SUPKEM, founded in 1973 as the umbrella body for Muslim organisations in Kenya, has been plagued by persistent leadership wrangles in recent years. A long-standing rivalry between factions aligned with Ambassador Yusuf Nzibo and Al-Hajj Hassan Ole Naado has led to protracted court battles, contested leadership claims, and parallel conferences.

In February 2024, the High Court nullified letters from the Registrar of Societies that had recognized the 2017 SUPKEM leadership as legitimate, ruling the move ultra vires. The council’s troubles deepened in August 2025 when the Garissa County Security Committee shut down the Quba Islamic Centre over security concerns tied to factional disputes. Around the same time, SUPKEM faced lawsuits from Hajj travel agents over alleged arbitrary blacklisting in pilgrimage coordination.

A Nairobi-based Islamic scholar, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The wrangles have tarnished the image of a once-respected institution. SUPKEM must return to its founding principles of unity and service.”

Next Steps

With the petition now formally before JLAC, the committee is expected to review its admissibility and determine appropriate actions. These could include behind-the-scenes mediation between stakeholders or, if necessary, a formal parliamentary inquiry.

Muslims across the country are closely watching the unfolding process, with growing calls for transparency, leadership renewal, and institutional reforms that can restore faith in SUPKEM as a national religious body.