Drama unfolded after a Nairobi Imam stabbed two individuals at Taqwa Mosque in Njiru in an alleged dispute over the mosque's leadership.
The dispute arose after two rival factions engaged in a squabble over the running of the mosque, which had even prompted the response of police officers. According to reports, the officers were able to quell the situation and left the mosque.
However, it was upon their departure that all hell broke loose, after the disgruntled Imam descended upon the mosque with a court order claiming leadership.
It was then that the situation boiled over and an altercation arose, with the Imam drawing a knife and stabbing two people.
One of the victims seemingly intimated that the dispute has been a long-standing one, with the Imam allegedly not being a member of the surrounding community. The victim alleged that the Imam was using his title to claim leadership of the mosque.
“Every time he tries to take leadership of the mosque, he likes to hide inside the mosque because he is not a member of this community. He uses his title of Imam to barge his way through our affairs,” the victim narrated.
“We were telling him that he should not be here because he is not part of us. That is when he decided to stab me,” added the victim, who is nursing wounds on his stomach and hand.
The stab victims were rushed to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, where they received treatment for their wounds.
Meanwhile, police officers confirmed the arrest of the Imam, who they said was in custody as investigations into the incident commenced.
“We were informed of an incident just moments after we had left the mosque. Reports coming to us said that there were people fighting and that some had been stabbed. The reports indicated that the suspect was an Imam. The Imam has since been arrested,” the authorities noted.
The latest comes after Muslims recently finished observing the Holy Month of Ramadhan, which ran from Saturday, March 1, to Sunday, March 30.
During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. They are not allowed to eat or drink (even water) during daylight hours.
