NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya is mourning the sudden death of Chief Kadhi Sheikh Athman AbdulHalim Hussein, who passed away in Mombasa on Tuesday.
The news was confirmed by Jamia Mosque Imam Sheikh Jamaludin Osman, who shared the announcement on social media, accompanied by the traditional Islamic phrase, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” — “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we shall return.”
“Sheikh AbdulHalim Hussein has returned to his Lord. He passed away earlier today in Mombasa and will be buried there after Asr prayers,” Osman posted, sparking an outpouring of grief across the country’s Muslim community.
The late Chief Kadhi was appointed to the role in July 2023 by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), following a competitive selection process that saw five candidates shortlisted.
His appointment marked a new chapter for the Kadhis’ courts after the retirement of longtime Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar, who stepped down at age 60 after 12 years of service.
Though his tenure was short-lived, Sheikh AbdulHalim’s leadership quickly gained respect within Kenya’s Islamic judicial system.
His elevation to Chief Kadhi—Kenya’s highest-ranking Islamic judge—was widely welcomed by clerics, legal minds, and religious scholars across the country.
Tributes began pouring in from religious institutions, government leaders, and faithful Kenyans alike, many recalling his humility, depth of knowledge in Sharia law, and devotion to justice.
In Islamic tradition, the Chief Kadhi plays a critical role in resolving family and personal law matters for Muslims, particularly in cases related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and custody.
His passing leaves a sudden vacuum in a key judicial role at a time when the Kadhis’ courts have been increasingly called upon to modernize and serve a growing Muslim population across Kenya.
As preparations for his burial unfold in Mombasa, where he lived and served, many are reflecting on his legacy—brief but impactful.
