Muslim leaders deny backing Uhuru’s bid

By Patrick Beja

KENYA: Muslim organisations have rejected the endorsement of Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta by 300 imams and madrassa teachers last week.

Instead the Muslim groups led by Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) Coast provincial chairman Sheikh Mohamed Khitamy told Muslims to vote for their leaders of choice.

Supkem, Kenya Assembly of Ulama (Kauli) and a section of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) said those who declared support for Uhuru expressed personal views and not those of their organisations.

“Muslim organisations are not associated with the declaration of support for Uhuru. Those who support the Jubilee presidential candidate are giving their personal views,” Khitamy declared.

His sentiments were echoed by CIPK national chairman Sheikh Mohamed Idris who insisted members of his organisation who backed Uhuru did not represent the group.

“We did not agree on whom to support in the presidential race,” Idris who campaigned for Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2007 said. He told Muslims to back those who supported the new Constitution.

They were addressing a press conference at a hotel in Mombasa County.

Kauli secretary general Sheikh Badru Khamis also said the organisation did not endorse Uhuru. CIPK south coast chairman Sheikh Khamis Banda said his branch has not endorsed Mr Kenyatta and the Jubilee coalition.

Last week, CIPK national organising secretary Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa and national treasurer Sheikh Hassan Omar, declared support for Uhuru after holding a meeting with 300 religious leaders.