Kenya’s Chief Kadhi Abdulhalim Hussein is dead.
Hussein is believed to have passed away in the wee hours of Thursday, July 10, in Mombasa. The cause of his death remains unknown at the time of publishing.
After his death, several prominent Muslim politicians took to their social media to convey their condolences, describing him as a great leader in the Muslim faith.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, through a statement on his X page, issued a condolence message to the late Hussein’s family, describing him as a great scholar.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. (Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we shall return.) Following the death of our scholar, brother, and religious leader, the Chief Khadi of Kenya, Brother Abdulhalim Hussein, in Mombasa,” he stated.
“He was a great scholar and leader of the ummah, humble and soft-spoken; I miss a brother,” Duale added.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir also mourned the late Hussein, crediting him for his service to the Islamic community in Kenya.
“Extremely saddened by the passing of the Chief Kadhi of Kenya, Shk. Abdulhalim Hussein; indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we shall return. With the grace of the Almighty, he served the Kenyan Ummah dedicatedly in many ways,” Abdulswamad stated.
“May Allah pardon him, multiply the reward of his good deeds, and grant him the highest ranks of Paradise. Ameen,” he added.
Chief Justice Martha Koome also mourned the departed Chief Kadhi, crediting him for dedicating his life to the service of justice, Islamic jurisprudence and the moral guidance of society.
"His leadership, humility, and deep commitment to upholding the rule of law and the values enshrined in our Constitution and faith will be remembered with deep respect and admiration," CJ Koome noted in a statement.
"We honour Sheikh Abdulhalim's immense contribution to the Judiciary and to the spiritual and legal fabric of our nation," she added.
Hussein was appointed in July 2023 by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from among five candidates shortlisted for the position.
He replaced Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar, who retired after 12 years of service and attained the mandatory 60-year retirement age.
Hussein was born in Malindi and schooled in Watamu Primary School and later at Malindi High School for his secondary school education. He got a scholarship to study at Al-Azhar University in Egypt, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Law in 2001.
He later became a deputy administrator in Madrasatul Munawwarah in Majengo and also taught Islamic Religious Education and Kiswahili in Ronald Ngala Primary School.
He first became a Kadhi in January 2005 and was posted in Mombasa. Aside from Mombasa, Hussein was also a Kadhi in Kwale and Nairobi before ascending to the role of Chief Kadhi.
Kadhi’s Courts in Kenya hold a crucial role in the administration of justice, particularly matters relating to the personal law of Muslims.
The courts deal with matters of marriage, divorce, inheritance, and other family matters based on Islamic law.
The Chief Kadhi has a critical role in maintaining the integrity of Islamic jurisprudence within the Kenyan legal system.
