A section of Muslim leaders in the North Rift region has joined other Kenyans in faulting Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council (KEMNAC) chairperson Sheikh Juma Ngao over his choice of words in a prayer he made during the Azimio la Umoja national convention at Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani on Friday.
Led by the North Rift Muslim Youth Daawa Group Secretary-General Jamal Diriwo Omari, the Muslim leaders said it was wrong for Juma Ngao to make prayers that appeared to hit out at a certain political outfit.
Diriwo noted that the KEMNAC chairperson had been given an opportunity to represent all Muslims and Kenyans at the event and that he should have been neutral in his prayers.
“When speaking in public, Sheikh Juma Ngao needed to focus on the agenda of the day, which was to champion unity of the country. His prayer that can easily divide Kenyans as it targeted a certain political side was not necessary at all,” said Diriwo.
The North Rift Muslim Youth Daawa Group Secretary-General challenged the KEMNAC boss to always be keen, especially when making public statements so as to avoid creating controversies.
“Before making any statement, think first and ask yourself if what you are about to say is good or bad, will it unite Kenyans or cause divisions? If it will cause more harm than good, then avoid it,” Diriwo noted.
Sheikh Juma Ngao was one of the 5 religious leaders that were given an opportunity to make prayers during the event that saw former Prime Minister Raila Odinga officially declare that he would vie for the presidency in the 2022 poll.
But his prayers have since attracted criticism, after what was seen as targeting the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), by branding those allied to the party lead by Deputy President William Ruto as thieves, and murderers.
“We ask you, Allah, don’t give power to the followers of Ufisadi Daima Alliance. We are praying to Allah, those who follow the Ufisadi Daima Alliance party not to get to power. They are murderers, they are corrupt, they even burn people inside churches,” Sheikh Juma Ngao said in part of his prayers.
