Divorce has drastically dropped among Muslims - Chief Kadhi

Cases of divorce among Muslims across the country have greatly reduced in recent times.

This is according to Chief Kadhi, Athman Abdulhalim Hussein who said statistics show that the current divorce rate stands at only about 20 per cent.

Speaking during his two-day tour in Lamu county, Hussein attributed the situation to interventions by religious leaders.

He said those claiming that divorce cases among Muslim couples are high in the Coast region and the country at large are only driven by perception and not the actual situation on the ground.

Hussein encouraged the religious leaders in Lamu, Coast, and countrywide to continue preaching respect and commitment in marriages.

He revealed plans by his office in coordination with Muslim clerics and organisations to introduce short courses on marital education to help those already in marriage and the ones preparing to marry.

He said such an initiative is crucial as it will greatly help to suppress even the few cases of divorces being recorded at the moment.

“I am happy that cases of divorce among Muslims have gone down drastically in recent times," Hussein said.

"Those saying there do exist high divorce rates are only driven by perception. The fact is that divorce cases are few. We only have about 20 per cent of such and we’re working towards suppressing them."

Lamu Branch Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) chairman Abubakar Shekuwe thanked the efforts put in place by the national government to fight drugs in Lamu, citing narcotics as a key contributor to the high number of divorce cases that were being recorded in Lamu in past years.

Shekuwe also thanked Lamu women for their efforts to respect and treat their husbands well, a move he said has brought harmony to many homes and families.

“I laud the Lamu women for understanding their husbands and pampering them always. This has reduced conflicts in the homes and in turn, prevented divorces," Shekuwe said.

"Drugs are also largely to blame for the past history of high divorce rates in the county.

"I am happy that the ongoing war on narcotics has greatly impacted positively on marriages in Lamu. We no longer have unnecessary divorces issued in the homes."

On his side, Lamu’s Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics (CICC) chairman Mohamed Abdulkadir urged married couples and those planning to marry to learn the essence of being committed to one’s partner so as to allow for personal and national development.

Abdulkadir, who is also the chair of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), Lamu branch, said lack of responsibility especially on the part of men is also largely to blame for divorce cases.

“Some men are not taking their responsibility seriously in the marriage. All these tasks have been left to the women which shouldn’t be the case and when things can no longer hold, a divorce becomes inevitable. Let’s be responsible in our marriages guys,” Abdulkadir said.