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Section of Muslims differ with Acting Chief Kadhi over Ramadan 2026 start date
18th February, 2026 12:43 PM
A section of Muslims in the North Rift region has differed with Acting Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sukyan Omar Hassan over the date for announcing the start of Ramadan 2026.
While some projections had indicated that Ramadan would begin on February 17, the Kenya Fatwa Council (KFC) announced a possible start on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, based on local moon-sighting reports.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu County, Muslim faithful said the issue of moon sighting has long been a subject of debate in the country, with divisions often emerging as the holy month approaches.
Led by Sheikh Abubakar Bini, the clerics criticised the handling of the matter by the Chief Kadhi’s office, saying repeated discrepancies in announcing the start date of Ramadan have continued to create confusion among believers.
According to them, the matter should be addressed and resolved early enough to promote unity and allow Muslims to prepare adequately for the holy month.
They further emphasised that Islamic teachings provide clear guidance on how the crescent moon should be sighted to mark the beginning of Ramadan. The leaders argued that Muslims should be allowed to rely on verified local moon sightings in line with tradition, rather than depending on astronomical projections that may later be revised.
The clerics urged relevant religious authorities to streamline the process and engage stakeholders in order to foster harmony and avoid annual confusion surrounding one of the most significant periods in the Islamic calendar.
“We have witnessed the same situation every year as Ramadan approaches,” Sheikh Abubakar Bini said.
Adding;
“The debate over moon sighting should not divide Muslims. This matter must be settled early enough to give clarity and unity to the faithful. Islam has clear guidelines on the sighting of the crescent moon. Muslims should be allowed to follow the tradition of confirmed local sightings instead of relying on projections that later change.”
The clerics argued that differing announcements could see sections of Muslims begin fasting on separate days.
“When one group starts fasting on Tuesday and another on Wednesday, it creates unnecessary confusion within the community. Ramadan is a month of unity and spiritual reflection, not division,” Bini said.
Acting Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sukyan Omar Hassan recently formed a National Moon Sighting Team tasked with determining the official start of Ramadan 2026, expected to fall on either Tuesday or Wednesday. The initiative aims to promote unity and ensure accuracy in the moon-sighting process among Kenyan Muslims.
However, the North Rift leaders maintain that broader consultations with religious stakeholders are necessary to avoid future disagreements.
“We are calling on the Chief Kadhi to address this issue amicably and bring all Muslim leaders on board so that we can speak with one voice,” Bini said.
