Kadhi’s courts will not touch other faiths, say lobbies

Muslim religious leaders on Tuesday defended Kadhi’s courts being entrenched in the constitution, saying they had no jurisdiction over other faiths.

Addressing a press conference outside Mbaruq Mosque in Mombasa, officials of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya and Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) said they would not support a constitution that will do away with the courts.

Sheikh Mukhtar Khitamy, Supkem Coast branch chairman accused some Christian clerics of trying to create chaos by opposing the courts.

“The courts have nothing to do with the constitution making and some Christian leaders are being used to derail the process,” he said.

“But we will defend the presence of the courts in the constitution by all means,” he added. On Monday, religious leaders from Pentecostal churches said the Kadhi’s courts should not be enshrined in the constitution because it would mean that the religion would be the one recognised by law.

However, the Muslim leaders claimed that the Christian religious leaders opposed to the courts were acting on behalf of non reformists who were out to ensure that the country does not get a new constitution.

“The courts deal with three main issues affecting Muslims —marriage, divorce and inheritance — which have nothing to do with Christians,” said Mr Khitamy.