In Kenya, Evangelicals Oppose Proposal For Separate Kadhi Court System

Kenya's Daily Nation yesterday reported that the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has threatened to mobilize its Pentecostal members to vote against the country's draft constitution when it is put to a referendum, if drafters move ahead with plans to provide in the constitution for a separate set of Kadhi Courts for Muslims. Apparently earlier this week, Justice and Constitution Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo assured the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim that the Kadhi Courts would be created as a system separate from the remaining judiciary. EAK argues, however, that freedom of religion, belief and opinion means that each religion should manage its own institutions and the state should avoid supporting religious dispute resolution. (See background on Kenyan Constitution reform.)