Written by Lisa Murimi
The Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council (Kemnac) has asked President William Ruto to dissolve the newly appointed panel for the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf) Commission.
Kemnac leaders argue that the panel’s members have opposed Waqf reforms in the past and may not serve the interests of the Muslim community.
Speaking during Eid prayers in Mombasa, Kemnac Chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao criticized the five-member panel appointed last week by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor.
He said the panel members, who come from the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem), and the National Muslim Leaders Forum (Namlef), had previously gone to court to block Waqf reforms.
“We are wondering how the very people who went to court to sue us because they were opposed to the reforms are today the ones forming the panel to select commissioners. These are just troublemakers,” he said.
He warned that this could harm the progress made in improving Waqf governance over the years.
Sheikh Juma, who helped draft the new Waqf Act, called on the president to remove the panel and appoint neutral members.
“Mr President, this panel should be dissolved. It is not fit for the job,” he reiterated.
He stressed that a fair and unbiased selection process is needed to avoid continuing mismanagement within the Waqf system.
In addition to his concerns about Waqf, Sheikh Juma also addressed rising youth crime, urging parents and authorities to take action.
