The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has officially appointed Hassan Omar Daffa as the new Chief Kadhi of Kenya, ending a period of transition within the Islamic legal arm of the country's judiciary. The announcement follows a comprehensive search to identify a successor capable of leading the Kadhi courts, which hold a specific constitutional mandate in matters of personal law for Muslims.
The position of Chief Kadhi had remained vacant since the passing of the late Sheikh Athman Abdul-Halim Hussein in July 2025. His departure left a significant void in the leadership of the Kadhi courts, necessitating a thorough and highly competitive recruitment process to ensure the institution maintained its momentum and integrity.
According to the Judicial Service Commission, the selection process involved evaluating multiple candidates who vied for the high-ranking office. Mr. Daffa was selected based on his qualifications and his capacity to uphold the administrative and legal requirements of the office, as prescribed by the Kenyan Constitution. The office of the Chief Kadhi is tasked with overseeing the Kadhi courts, which preside over matters relating to marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance where all parties involved are Muslims.
As the new Chief Kadhi, Mr. Daffa is expected to spearhead the modernization of the Kadhi court system and address existing backlogs. His appointment comes at a time when the judiciary is under pressure to enhance service delivery and ensure equitable access to justice across all specialised divisions. Stakeholders in the legal and religious communities will be watching closely to see how the new leadership navigates the challenges of balancing traditional Islamic jurisprudence with the requirements of the national legal framework.
This appointment was confirmed by the Judicial Service Commission in official communications following the conclusion of the interviews.