26/08/2026
Mumias new Kadhi’s Court Registry to ease access to justice
The facility is aimed at bringing judicial services closer to residents while easing congestion and reducing case backlogs at the Kakamega Kadhi’s Court.
Muslims living in Mumias and other parts of western Kenya will no longer have to travel long distances to access Kadhi’s Court services following the establishment of a new sub-registry at the Mumias Law Courts.
The facility was officially launched on Friday, August 21, in a move aimed at bringing judicial services closer to residents while easing congestion and reducing case backlogs at the Kakamega Kadhi’s Court.
The new registry is expected to help clear a backlog of marriage and inheritance cases, some dating back to 2015, while providing a local avenue for resolving family and marital disputes before they escalate.
Speaking during the launch, Kakamega Kadhi Sheikh Ally Wayu Bakari urged Muslims to formalise their marriages by obtaining marriage certificates and to prepare wills clearly outlining how their property should be distributed after death, in accordance with Islamic teachings.
He said taking such deliberate steps would help protect families and prevent disputes over property and inheritance after the death of a family member.
The Kadhi also dismissed cultural beliefs in some communities that making arrangements for death, including writing a will, attracts bad luck or is a bad omen.
“Majority of the Muslims stay together without legal bonding in their marriage and die without leaving behind a will as a guiding document that can help resolve pertinent issues concerning a deceased person’s family and property,” he said.
He warned that the absence of proper documentation often creates confusion and unnecessary disputes when families are required to distribute the property of a deceased person.
Wayu also encouraged Muslim litigants with cases involving matters within the jurisdiction of the Kadhi’s Court that are currently before conventional courts to consider transferring them to the court for determination in accordance with Islamic law.
“We have a lot of cases involving Muslims around this area. Many of them are bloated in the registry of the magistrate’s court. Please transfer those cases to Kadhi’s Court so that we fast-track their determination,” he said.
Kadhi’s Courts have jurisdiction over matters relating to Muslim personal law, including marriage, divorce, inheritance and other related disputes.
The Kadhi also raised concern over Muslims who live together before solemnising their marriages through nikah, describing the practice as contrary to Islamic teachings.
He urged such couples to formalise their marriages in accordance with Islamic principles, noting that the process provides a straightforward way of establishing lawful marriages.
Echoing the sentiments, Kakamega County CIPK Chairman Idris Lubale urged Muslims to make prudent use of the Kadhi’s Court, saying it provides an effective avenue for resolving family disputes and can help address gender-based violence within the Muslim community.
Jamia Mosque Mumias Imam Sheikh Abdalla Washiali welcomed the extension of Kadhi’s Court services to the area, saying it would go a long way towards resolving disputes involving marriage, divorce and inheritance among residents.
Speaking at the event, Mumias Law Courts Head of Station Lester Simiyu thanked the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for establishing the sub-registry, saying the move could help address the growing backlog of cases at the station.
She said some cases had remained unresolved for years, leaving families waiting for justice for prolonged periods.
“Mumias town and its environs have a high presence of Muslim faithful, and the Kadhi Court will go a long way in helping reduce the backlog of cases at the station,” she said.
Simiyu urged Muslim faithful to spread awareness about the new facility and called on religious leaders to sensitise the community about the services offered by the registry.
She said several land-related matters had also remained unresolved for years, expressing hope that the presence of the Kadhi would help address disputes falling within the court’s mandate, particularly those involving Muslim family and civil matters.
The new sub-registry will enable residents to file documents, pursue family-related cases and access Kadhi’s Court services without travelling long distances to Kakamega or Bungoma.
It will serve residents of Mumias, Matungu, Butere and Khwisero sub-counties, as well as surrounding areas.
Among those who attended the launch was County SUPKEM Chairman Shaban Wafula, alongside religious leaders and other local leaders.
The facility is aimed at bringing judicial services closer to residents while easing congestion and reducing case backlogs at the Kakamega Kadhi’s Court.
