Police were forced to intervene to quell a standoff at The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) offices on Monday morning involving two rival groups.
The morning standoff was caused by two differing groups, with one demanding the ouster of the Chairperson while the other was defending the chairperson's position.
The opposing faction arrived at the offices with a court order demanding access while claiming that the current chairperson Hassan Ole Naado should exit office.
According to Hussein Kuso, an advocate of the high court, the faction led by Yusuf Nzibo had documents from the Registrar of Societies proving the legitimacy of their demands.
“We have a letter from the Registrar of Societies, confirming the bonafide officials of SUPKEM led by Ambassador Yusuf Nzibo,” elaborated Kuso
The group also alleges that the Chairperson, Hassan Ole Naado had exceeded the term limit provided by the organisation’s regulations.
Yusuf Nzibo, the leader of the group stated that they had resorted to obtaining the court order after arbitration efforts to reconcile both factions failed.
"We are here to get access into our offices with the protection of police because we're complying with the court order recognising me as the chairman of the council," he explained.
The early morning wrangles forced some closures of businesses close to Islamic House, Njugu Lane, where the offices are located.
However, the police denied entry to both groups to the offices and returned calm in the area.
SUPKEM wrangles were in the headlines 3 weeks ago with a section of Mombasa officials accusing Yusuf Nzibo of declaring himself chairperson.
Additionally, they appealed to the Deputy Registrar of Societies to declare the letter null and void.
However, both factions were urged to reconcile their differences as the wrangles were stated to cost the unity of Muslims in the country.
