Wrangles in SUPKEM as two fight for chairman post

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) has once again found itself in a state of uncertainty as the battle for the position of national chairman unfolds.

In a letter dated January 25, addressed to Hajj agents, former Ambassador Yusuf Abdulrahman Nzibo states that he, not Hassan ole Naado, is SUPKEM's national chairman.

Yusuf was the ambassador to the Kingdom of Netherlands, Czech and Slovakia Republics from 1998 to 2000); USA, Mexico and Colombia from 2000 to 2004; and Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, from 2004 to 2006.

“This is, therefore, to bring to your attention that Hassan ole Naado who has masqueraded and imposed himself as the national chairman is not our bonafide leader. We have thus requested him to vacate our offices on Njugu Lane (CBD) with immediate effect. We intend to reoccupy our offices on Friday, 26th January 2024," Yusuf said in the letter seen by The Eastleigh Voice.

"We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders including Hajj agents."

Yusuf said any parties with questions should refer to a letter Ref: SOC/10997, from the Registrar of Societies to his lawyers, Messrs Kusow & Advocates. The letter dated January 23, 2023 is on the subject of SUPKEM's senior leadership, he said.

“I refer to your letter dated November 21, 2023 and append below the names of the above society's office bearers as per their FORM H dated 24th October 2017," says the letter that names Abdullahi Sirat Osman as the organisation's deputy chairman.

In response, the current SUPKEM leadership team led by Hassan insists that the matter was settled last year via the Annex Court and an agreement reached via mediation, so they are lawfully in office.

“We do not understand why the matter is doing the rounds. The new constitution states that a national chairman serves for five years. We have already settled the matter. There are no disputes whatsoever,” said one of the leaders, who requested anonymity since the matter between SUPKEM and the Registrar of Societies is coming up in court on January 31.

“We wish to bring to your attention the letter addressed to all agents [that is] being circulated on WhatsApp and other social media regarding the leadership of SUPKEM. Kindly ignore the letter. It is meant to confuse the Muslim community about SUPKEM leadership, especially Hajj agents."

Hassan further said SUPKEM had already taken legal action against Yusuf for impersonation.

“Yusuf Nzibo has been in court challenging his removal from office. The case was concluded when he accepted and signed an arbitration letter. There is no court order reinstating Yusuf Nzibo in the office.”

As the wrangles continued, the Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) was forced to intervene. It wrote a letter to the Registrar of Societies on November 7, 2023.

“We are in receipt of a letter from SUPKEM, in which they claim that your office received instructions from Salim Omar and Co. Advocates, who are alleged to have misrepresented themselves as acting on behalf of SUPKEM in a fraudulent manner," it said.

“This is therefore to request you to look into this matter and respond within 14 days, clearly outlining your position on the same, steps taken if any, or intended actions and time-frames for resolution of this complaint.”

The Complaint was raised after the registrar's officer failed to provide a status on the matters raised.

The leadership wrangles have created a perplexing atmosphere within Supkem, with competing factions vying for control. The intricacies of the situation raise questions about the future of the organisation and the potential impact on its ability to effectively represent the interests of the Muslim community in Kenya.