Mombasa Hajj agents cry foul over SUPKEM's control, seek State intervention
The Hajj and Umrah Association of Kenya claims that SUPKEM has overreached its mandate by imposing hefty charges and excluding key players from essential planning processes, jeopardising the future of the multi-million-shilling religious travel sector.
Hajj and Umrah agents in Mombasa are calling on the government to urgently step in and stop what they describe as persistent interference by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) in the management of pilgrimage services.
The Hajj and Umrah Association of Kenya claims that SUPKEM has overreached its mandate by imposing hefty charges and excluding key players from essential planning processes, jeopardising the future of the multi-million-shilling religious travel sector.
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The association’s Vice Chair, Sheikh Abdulkadir Al-Ubeidy, warned that continued disruptions from SUPKEM threaten to cripple Hajj-related business and reduce government revenue generated through Value Added Tax (VAT) on pilgrimage services.
“The Umrah numbers have dropped drastically. We have only facilitated 100 pilgrims this month compared to an average of 700,” he said, attributing the decline to SUPKEM’s control of the sector.
The agents are urging the Tourism Regulatory Authority, Kenya Tourism Board, and the ministries of Tourism, Trade, and Foreign Affairs to address the situation and restore order.
Concerns were raised over SUPKEM’s demand that agents pay $1,300 per pilgrim for services, alongside an additional $100 (Sh12,944) as a service fee. According to Al Andalus Travels Director, Sheikh Rishard Rajab Ramadhan, this could generate close to Sh75 million if 6,000 pilgrims travel from Kenya yet the quality of services remains wanting.
“There is no transparency. The services are poor, and we don’t know how the money is used,” he said.
The association argued that SUPKEM, as a religious non-profit, should not engage in commercial activities related to Hajj or Umrah. They accused the Council of bypassing established agents in decision-making and excluding them from 2026 Hajj planning.
“They formed a Hajj Mission under SUPKEM without consulting the stakeholders who actually handle pilgrimages,” Sheikh Al-Ubeidy said, blaming the Council for logistical failures involving transport, food, and shelter during the past two pilgrimages.
The agents also criticised SUPKEM’s recent announcement requiring full payments for the 2026 Hajj by late August, calling the deadline unworkable and rushed.
“We are not ready to continue under their oversight,” said Khalid Abdulrahman Ali, Managing Director of Al Haramin Agency, adding, “If SUPKEM insists it has done no wrong, let them come and face us openly. We handle the funds and pass them on. They need to explain where it all goes.”
The group further alleged favouritism in agent selection, particularly in the Coast region, where only a few were approved to operate without clear justification.
The agents insisted they wanted the freedom to operate independently, and for the government to re-evaluate SUPKEM’s involvement in the sector.
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