Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-20 00:04:52
Police had to step in to defuse a tense standoff that occurred at The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) offices on Monday morning, as two rival groups clashed over the leadership of the organization.
The standoff was sparked by two opposing factions, with one group calling for the removal of the Chairperson while the other group was adamantly defending the chairperson’s position. The opposing faction arrived at the offices with a court order demanding access, claiming that the current chairperson, Hassan Ole Naado, should be removed from office.
Hussein Kuso, a high court advocate, stated that the faction led by Yusuf Nzibo had documents from the Registrar of Societies proving the legitimacy of their demands.
“We have a letter from the Registrar of Societies, confirming the bona fide officials of SUPKEM led by Ambassador Yusuf Nzibo,” explained Kuso. The group also alleged that the Chairperson, Hassan Ole Naado, had exceeded the term limit provided by the organization’s regulations.
Yusuf Nzibo, the leader of the group, stated that they had resorted to obtaining the court order after arbitration efforts to reconcile both factions failed. “We are here to get access into our offices with the protection of police because we’re complying with the court order recognizing me as the chairman of the council,” he explained.
The early morning wrangles resulted in some nearby businesses being closed, but the police denied entry to both groups and restored calm in the area. Just three weeks prior, SUPKEM was in the headlines as a section of Mombasa officials accused Yusuf Nzibo of declaring himself chairperson. They appealed to the Deputy Registrar of Societies to declare the letter null and void.
Both factions were urged to reconcile their differences, as the ongoing disputes were negatively impacting the unity of Muslims in the country.
The police intervention and subsequent calming of tensions reflected a recurring pattern of conflict within SUPKEM. It was evident that the disputes between the two factions were a longstanding issue that required immediate resolution. The organization’s leadership structure and compliance with its regulations were at the center of the disagreement, highlighting the need for clear and transparent governance processes within SUPKEM.
Moreover, the involvement of the Registrar of Societies and the issuance of a court order further complicated the situation, adding a legal dimension to the already contentious leadership dispute.
Given the significance of SUPKEM as a representative body for Kenya’s Muslim community, it was essential for the organization to address the internal conflicts and work towards a harmonious resolution. The impact of the standoff on nearby businesses and the intervention of law enforcement underscored the widespread consequences of the internal discord within SUPKEM.
Ultimately, the resolution of the leadership dispute and the restoration of unity within SUPKEM were imperative to ensure the organization’s effective representation and advocacy for the interests of Kenya’s Muslim population. The stakeholders involved in the conflict, including the rival factions, the Registrar of Societies, and law enforcement, needed to collaborate in addressing the underlying issues and facilitating a peaceful and sustainable resolution.
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