NAIROBI, Kenya – The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has appointed Hassan Omar Daffa as Kenya’s new Chief Kadhi, ending a leadership vacancy that followed the death of Sheikh Athman Abdul-Halim Hussein in July 2025.
Daffa takes over the constitutional office after a competitive recruitment exercise that attracted 14 applications, with nine candidates shortlisted for interviews conducted on November 2 and 3, 2026.
He was among the candidates interviewed by the commission, alongside Acting Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sukyan Omar Hassan and seven other applicants.
The recruitment process sought to fill the position left vacant after Sheikh Athman died on July 10, 2025. Senior Principal Kadhi Sukyan Omar Hassan had subsequently been appointed to serve in an acting capacity from August 2025.
Daffa’s legal and Islamic jurisprudence background
Daffa previously served as a Principal Kadhi and has experience in the administration of Muslim personal law.
His professional background includes service in the Judiciary since 2015. He holds a Master’s degree in Islamic Jurisprudence from Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia, a Bachelor of Laws degree from Mount Kenya University and a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
He is also a Certified Secretary accredited by KASNEB.
His appointment follows a recruitment process in which the JSC sought input from Muslim religious organisations and legal stakeholders to identify the competencies and leadership qualities required for the office.
The commission held a stakeholder engagement forum in June 2026, bringing together representatives from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council, Jamia Mosque, the Association of Muslim Lawyers and Muslims Professional League Africa.
JSC Vice Chairperson Isaac Rutto said at the time that the commission was committed to a recruitment process guided by transparency, merit and inclusivity.
What the Chief Kadhi does
The Chief Kadhi heads the Kadhis’ Courts within Kenya’s Judiciary and provides leadership and administrative oversight to Kadhis serving across the country.
The office is established under Article 170 of the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of a Chief Kadhi and other Kadhis.
The courts have jurisdiction to determine questions of Muslim law relating to personal status, marriage, divorce and inheritance, provided all parties profess the Muslim religion and submit to the jurisdiction of the courts.
The position therefore plays a central role in the administration of justice in matters governed by Islamic personal law.
Daffa succeeds Sheikh Athman, who was appointed Chief Kadhi in July 2023 after the retirement of Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar, who had served in the position for 12 years.
His appointment restores substantive leadership to the Kadhis’ Courts after more than a year under an acting arrangement.
