Following the death of Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein on July 10, 2025, the Muslim community is now turning its gaze to the Judicial Service Commission to guide the next transition.
Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein, the beloved Chief Kadhi of Kenya, passed away quietly in Mombasa on July 10, 2025, leaving the nation and the Muslim community in deep mourning.
His death was formally announced by Sheikh Jamaludin Osman, Imam of Jamia Mosque, who solemnly declared:
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we return. I am saddened to inform you of the passing of our Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein, a while ago in Mombasa. He shall be buried in Mombasa.”
A brilliant Islamic scholar and champion of justice, Sheikh Abdulhalim had served the Muslim ummah with humility, integrity, and compassion.
Death & Funeral
Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein passed away during the night of July 10, 2025, in Tudor, Mombasa, after undergoing medical treatment. He had recently returned from India, where he had sought care.
The funeral prayer (Salat al‑Janazah) was held at Masjid Nuru in Bondeni after Asr, followed by burial the same evening at Seif Halwa Cemetery in Kikowani, in accordance with Islamic tradition.
May Allah grant our late Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein Jannatul Firdaus, comfort his family and the greater Muslim ummah, and may the light of his legacy continue to guide us in the justice and compassion he embodied. Ameen
Who Succeeded Him as Chief Kadhi?
Following a constitutional recruitment process by the Judicial Service Commission, Athman Abdulhalim Hussein was appointed as the new Chief Kadhi in July 2023, succeeding the retired Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar.
The Selection of Kenya’s Chief Kadhi: A Sacred Responsibility
The Chief Kadhi of Kenya holds a deeply spiritual and constitutional role, serving as the highest authority in Islamic family law.
Enshrined in Article 170 of the Constitution, the Chief Kadhi oversees Kadhi’s Courts, which handle matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance in accordance with Sharia Law and Kenyan Constitution.
The selection of a new Chief Kadhi occurs when the position becomes vacant due to retirement, resignation, or death.
Breakdown:
- Retirement – Mandatory or voluntary, often upon reaching the age limit or after completing service.
- Resignation – Voluntary exit from the role.
- Death – In the unfortunate event of the officeholder’s passing while in service.
These are the typical scenarios that prompt the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to initiate the recruitment process for a new Chief Kadhi.
Step-by-Step: The Selection Process
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) ensures that the process is carried out with competence, merit, and public confidence, in line with both Islamic values and the Constitution of Kenya.
- Vacancy Declaration
Once the Chief Kadhi position becomes vacant—due to retirement or death—the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) formally declares the seat vacant, triggering the recruitment process. - Acting Appointment
To maintain continuity in the Kadhi’s Courts, a senior Kadhi may be appointed in an acting capacity while recruitment proceeds. - Public Advertisement
The JSC publishes a formal notice in national newspapers and online platforms detailing the position’s responsibilities, eligibility criteria, and application timeline. - Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:- Be Kenyan Muslims.
- Hold a recognized degree in Islamic law or equivalent.
- Demonstrate at least 3–15 years of experience as an Islamic law practitioner or senior Kadhi.
- Be of high moral integrity, meeting Chapter Six standards under the Constitution, with membership in a recognized Muslim body.
- Shortlisting & Interviews
After the application window closes, the JSC reviews submissions—historically receiving up to 253 applications for five Kadhi positions during a broader judiciary recruitment drive in July 2025. A shortlist of candidates is then vetted and invited for public interviews assessing Islamic legal knowledge, integrity, leadership, and community suitability. - Appointment & Gazettement
The JSC makes a final decision, after which the appointment is gazetted and the individual is formally sworn in, taking on full duties as head of the Kadhi’s Courts.
Community Expectations & Future Considerations
While the process is designed to ensure fairness and merit, concerns persist. Critics—like Muslim youth leaders—have challenged past shortlists on grounds of regional imbalance, calling for an appointment that reflects Kenya’s diverse Muslim population and does not favor any single region.
There’s also pressure to reduce the 15-year experience requirement, to encourage participation from younger, qualified Muslims, while still maintaining integrity and competence within the office.
The process promises to reflect fairness, transparency, and respect for Kenya’s rich Muslim diversity.
The Chief Kadhi selection in Kenya blends constitutional rigor with community values. It’s intended to identify not only a skilled scholar in Islamic law but a unifying figure of moral integrity and religious authority.
A Moment of Reflection
The recent passing of Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein, a respected figure within the Muslim judicial circles, has brought renewed attention to the vital role of Islamic leadership in the judiciary.
His legacy is a reminder that those who sit in the Chief Kadhi’s seat carry not just legal duties but the sacred trust of an entire ummah.
