Chief Kadhi Sheikh Athman Abdulhalim Hussein has died, barely two years after assuming office.

His death was announced on Wednesday, July 10, by Jamia Mosque Imam Sheikh Jamaludin Osman, who confirmed the news through a brief message of condolence.

“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return. I am saddened to inform you of the passing on of our Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein a while ago in Mombasa. He shall be buried in Mombasa,” Osman said.

Sheikh Abdulhalim was appointed Chief Kadhi in July 2023, taking over from Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar who retired after serving for 12 years and attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.

The position of Chief Kadhi is a public service role under the Judiciary and has a mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

His appointment followed a competitive recruitment process led by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which shortlisted five candidates and settled on Abdulhalim after deliberations.

“Following deliberations and careful consideration of various candidates, JSC has appointed Hon. Athman Abdulhalim Hussein as the new Chief Kadhi of the Republic of Kenya,” the commission said in a statement at the time of his appointment.

The vacancy for the position had been advertised on April 14, 2023.

Abdulhalim, who became the eleventh Chief Kadhi, followed a long tradition of leaders who hailed from regions such as Zanzibar, Lamu, and Mombasa.

To qualify for the role, applicants must hold a degree in Islamic Law, profess the Islamic faith, and belong to a recognized Islamic association.

Good conduct in accordance with Islamic teachings and compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution are also required.

The Chief Kadhi plays a key role in resolving matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance among Muslims. The office also supervises Kadhi’s Court registries, translates Arabic documents, and keeps records of arbitration, marriages, and divorces, which are submitted in consultation with the magistrate in charge.

Sheikh Abdulhalim’s death marks the end of a short yet notable tenure at the helm of the Kadhis’ courts in Kenya.