Supkem brokers deal after months of tension at Quba Islamic Centre

The centre, which sits on about 250 acres on the outskirts of Garissa town near Modika, has been rocked by disagreements since April, with attempts at reconciliation by local leaders and security officials initially failing.
The dispute escalated into clan conflicts that left several people injured.

Peace has finally been restored at the Quba Islamic Centre in Garissa after months of leadership wrangles that stemmed from a land dispute.

The centre, which sits on about 250 acres on the outskirts of Garissa town near Modika, has been rocked by disagreements since April, with attempts at reconciliation by local leaders and security officials initially failing. The dispute escalated into clan conflicts that left several people injured.

Tensions worsened when rival Imams led prayers simultaneously, a move widely condemned for violating Islamic principles and the sanctity of worship. The situation forced county commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo to convene a meeting mid-last month, where a decision was made to shut the institution temporarily to avert further clashes.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, led by chairman Abdullahi Salat and prominent scholars from Garissa later initiated mediation efforts that brought both sides together. On Wednesday, at a press briefing attended by representatives of the rival groups, resolutions were signed to end the dispute.

Among the agreements, each faction was allocated a section of the land for religious activities. Both parcels are to be used strictly for worship and may be leased but not sold or given away.

Each group will nominate 15 members, making 30 in total, to oversee activities and security during a one-month transition period, extendable by another month if necessary. Supkem will supervise the transition to resolve any emerging disagreements.

Sheikh Salat hailed the agreement as a victory for unity and faith, thanking both parties, religious leaders, and local leaders, including Health CS Aden Duale, Governor Nathif Jama, and Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed for their support.

“We stand here today to announce that we have finally managed to restore peace and bring the warring parties to the table. The mediation has been very successful,” he said.

Supkem Garissa treasurer Hassan Abdi called for healing and urged both parties to honour the resolutions. “We want to appeal to the residents of Garissa to remain peaceful and go about their normal businesses. The misunderstanding has been resolved,” he said.

Elder Rashid Mohamed Farah echoed the call for unity, urging the parties to respect the agreement for lasting peace. “At no point should disputes at this great institution ever escalate to the levels we witnessed. There should always be a way of resolving issues peacefully,” he said.

The resolution of the leadership wrangles at the Quba Islamic Centre in Garissa is a significant breakthrough for both the Muslim community and local stability. The conflict, rooted in land disputes and clan divisions, had escalated dangerously, even undermining the sanctity of worship. By brokering peace, Supkem and local leaders not only averted further violence but also restored the centre’s role as a place of unity and faith. However, the delicate transition period will test the parties’ commitment to the signed resolutions. Sustained mediation and community goodwill are essential to prevent a relapse and to entrench lasting peace at the institution.