Do not bring women here, MP Aden Duale warn CJ Koome over Kadhi court appointments

Garisa Town MP Aden Duale caution Chief Justice Martha Koome against nominating female Kadhis.

Duale was talking to on Saturday, July 1, at his constituency.

“As a Muslim leader, we will not accept a female Khadhi. It is not found in the Koran. It is not found in the teachings of the Prophet,” Duale said.

The lawmaker contended that the Islam religion has always honored the role of women in the community.

“Islam has a special place for women and it has given women roles to execute in the society,” Duale stated.

“I would like to tell CJ Koome that if she was appointed Chief Justice it does not mean that we also have a female Khadhi,” he added.

Duale insisted that Koome is a judge in a secular society noting that the CJ is not a judge in religious set up.

“Do not interfere with how the Muslim religion is run in this country the same way we will not interfere with the Christian faith. We must respect religion leaders if you want Kenya to be a good country,” Duale said.

The Garisa town MP further declared that Muslims chose for the 2010 constitution because of devolution and the Khadhis court.

“We wanted to run our affairs when it comes to marriage, divorce and inheritance according to the prophetic teachings of the Quran,” Duale said.

Duale’s declaration comes after a division of women pushed for one of them to be ordained to the Khadhi courts’ top position as incumbent Chief Khadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar’s tenure ends, a call Sheikh Muhdhar supports.

“As long as you have studied the Islamic Sharia law, you are entitled for the Khadhi position, irrespective of gender,” he said.

Sheikh Mudhar’s announcements were also seconded by Mudhar Khitamy, the chairman of the Supreme Council of Muslims in Kenya (Supkem) Coast region.

“What people need to understand is that the Khadhi Court is just a magistrate court and can be led by either a man or woman. And if a woman applies for the position, she is entitled to it,” the chairman said.

“It is not a must that the Kadhi position goes to men. It is not a reserve for them. If we are given those chances, women may help to solve issues affecting them, and articulate them better,”  scholar Fatuma Juma contended.