CJ Koome Picks New Chief Kadhi
Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome, in a statement, announced the appointment of Hussein after it carried out interviews for five shortlisted candidates.
Marvin Chege 
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Monday, July 17 appointed Athman Abdulhalim Hussein as the new Chief Kadhi of the Republic of Kenya.
Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome, in a statement, announced the appointment of Hussein after it carried out interviews for five shortlisted candidates.
"The Judicial Service Commission advertised for a vacancy in the position of the Chief Kadhi on 14th April 2023. Today, 17th July 2023, the Commission conducted interviews for the five (5) shortlisted candidates.
Newly appointed Chief Kadhi Athman Abdulhalim Hussein. /TWITTER
"Following deliberations and careful consideration of the various candidates, JSC has appointed Hon. Athman Abdulhalim Hussein as the new Chief Kadhi of the Republic of Kenya," CJ Koome stated in part.
JSC went on to thank all the candidates, stakeholders and Kenyans for their participation in the recruitment and selection process.
On May 22, 2023, the CJ Koome-led commission shortlisted Sukyan Hassan Omar, Idris Nyamagosa Nyaboga, Athman Abdulhalim Hussein, Kutwaa Mohamed Abdalla and Omari Hassan Kinyua for the position, which was advertised on April 14, 2023.
According to the commission, 24 applications were received by the close of the advertisement on April 28 and five candidates were shortlisted.
Hussein is the former Kadhi Nairobi region and will be replacing Ahmed Muhdha.
The Chief Kadhi is recruited under the revised policy of the Judicial Service Commission scheme of service, a position that is now at par with that of a chief magistrate.
The permanent and pensionable position also comes with allowances such as housing and commuting allowance, medical insurance and leave.
To qualify for the position, one must have a degree in Islamic law or its equivalent, profess the Islamic faith, have no complaints against them with the Complaints Commission or employers, and have no integrity issues.
Critics of previous appointments have always urged the JSC to consult widely with all Muslim groups to end the tradition of selecting a person from one region, arguing that the JSC must instead give a fair chance to all Muslims across the country.
The Kadhi Courts are established under Article 170 of the Constitution and their jurisdiction is limited to the determination of Muslim law relating to personal status, marriage, divorce or inheritance in which all parties profess the Islamic faith and submit to the jurisdiction of the court.
