Retired Kadhi Sheikh Ali Darani and Islamic Scholar Sheikh Muhammad Wamunyu pass away
Sheikh Ali Darani passed served in the Kenyan judiciary as a Kadhi while Sheikh Muhammad Suleiman Munyu was a respected scholar and community elder
The Muslim community has been thrown into mourning following the passing of two respected Islamic scholars and community leaders.
Retired Kadhi Sheikh Ali Darani passed away on January 1, 2026, in Mombasa after a prolonged period of illness. Sheikh Ali served in the Kenyan judiciary as a Kadhi, in Mombasa and a tenure in Nairobi, where his contribution to the administration of Islamic law left a lasting impact on the communities he served.
Sheikh Ali Darani was buried in Mombasa following Janazah prayers held at Kilifi Mosque shortly after the Friday congregational prayers. Family members, colleagues, and members of the public gathered to pray for his soul.
Meanwhile, in Nairobi, Sheikh Muhammad Suleiman Munyu, the former Kiambu Chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), also passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at his residence in California, Pumwani Estate. The Sheikh was a long-serving registrar of marriages in Nairobi and a renowned elder and community leader.
For many years, Sheikh Suleiman endeared himself to listeners through the “Kikuyu Hour,” an Islamic program aired on Iqra FM, where he passionately expounded on Islamic teachings in the Kikuyu language, making religious knowledge accessible to a wider audience. He was also part of a panel formed to translate the Qur’an in Kikuyu language.
In a tribute, the Kamukunji Voice, a community platform, described him as “a respected figure, known for his steadfast commitment to Islamic teachings, community service, and mentorship. His guidance and generosity earned him deep admiration, making his passing a significant loss for all who knew him.”
The Janazah prayers for Sheikh Muhammad Suleiman Wamunyu will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Chelsea Mosque in Majengo after Dhuhr prayers, followed by burial at the Kariakor Muslim Cemetery.
May Allah forgive their shortcomings, grant them His infinite mercy, and admit them into the highest ranks of Jannatul Firdaws. Ameen.