SUPKEM Coast Branch Accuse Splinter Group of Fueling Division

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Coast region Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) branch leadership has dismissed claims of internal wrangles accusing a splinter group of hiring individuals to cause chaos within the organization ahead of the upcoming grassroots and national elections.

Addressing the media in Mombasa, the embattled officials reaffirmed that national elections would be held within the next three months insisting they were in office legally and in accordance with the council’s constitution.

They vowed not to be intimidated by what they described as individuals “greedy to leadership.”

The Coast leadership condemned what it termed as a deliberate attempt to divide the Muslim community by sponsoring non-members to create disunity within the council.. nn

The branch expressed its support for national chairman Hassan Ole Nado, who has served since 2017. No national election has been conducted since he took office.

“SUPKEM is operational and does not in any way suffer from internal strife as has been reported. Any demonstration against SUPKEM leadership…” read part of the statement issued during the press conference, which sought to clarify the council’s current status and dismiss claims of internal conflict.

The regional coordinator Sheikh Khamis Juma Mwaguzo emphasized that clear guidelines exist for elections and conflict resolution within the council.

“Three months coming we will start grassroots election in the 292 constituencies who are members, before we continue to national elections,” he said urging regional coordinators to prepare for the grassroots phase.

SUPKEM national deputy chairman Sayyid Mudhar Shariff Khitamy echoed the sentiments reaffirming that the current leadership remained legally in office until elections were successfully conducted.

“We appeal to those orchestrating demonstrations to apply for membership in the council and participate in elections if they are eligible,” he reiterated urging mosque leaders to resist attempts to use them to fuel unrest within the organization.

“What is the most critical part for Kenyans to know is that the current leadership is legally in the office and no members of our organization has participated in any demonstration.”

The officials also highlighted some of SUPKEM’s recent achievements; including mobilizing over Sh100 million in blood money to secure the release of a Kenyan national convicted of killing a person in Saudi Arabia.