NEW KADHI: The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has appointed Senior Principal Kadhi Sukyan Omar Hassan as the Acting Chief Kadhi, effective August 8, 2025, following the death of Chief Kadhi Sheikh Athman Abdul-Halim last month.

In a statement, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya said the decision was made during a JSC meeting on July 14, 2025, in accordance with Article 170 of the Constitution and Section 2 of the Kadhis’ Court Act.

“Omar will discharge all the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Kadhi during the acting period,” Mokaya noted, adding that he will serve for three months or until the position is substantively filled.

Until his appointment, Sukyan served as Deputy Chief Kadhi under Sheikh Abdul-Halim’s tenure, which began in July 2023 after succeeding long-serving Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar.

The Chief Kadhi’s role, a constitutional office within the Judiciary, is reserved for Muslims with specific qualifications, including a degree in Islamic Law, good conduct as per Islamic principles, and membership in recognized Islamic associations, alongside compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Sheikh Abdul-Halim, who died in Mombasa on July 10, 2025, was instrumental in overseeing Muslim family matters including inheritance, divorce, and marriage disputes. His death brought an abrupt end to his leadership of Kenya’s Kadhis’ courts.