Moon sighting confusion dogs Idd ul-Fitr celebrations in Kenya and the region
Muslims at Uasin Gishu Primary School during Idd-Ul-Fitr prayers presided over by Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, Imam of Eldoret Jamia Mosque in Eldoret City on March 30, 2025.
Confusion continues to dog Idd ul-Fitr celebrations in Kenya and the region, with a section of Muslims ending their Ramadhan fast on Sunday.
With Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein expected to lead Idd celebration in Mombasa today, the confusion has prompted calls for sobriety and investment in technology to help in sighting the crescent moon.
Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein
For those who celebrated Idd on Sunday, they fasted for 29 days until Saturday; had the crescent moon not been sighted, their 30th day would have been yesterday. On the other hand, those who claim the moon had not been sighted, will celebrate today having fasted for 30 days.
Speaking to the Nation, Deputy Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sukyan Omar on Sunday, said the world is now a small village due to technological advances and therefore investing in technology for sighting the moon could help end the confusion.
“As it stands now, the office of Chief Kadhi is depending on herders, farmers and other people who have been volunteering, and may not have the capacity to sight the crescent moon. Some can even lie to him that they have sighted the moon,” he said.
Mr Omar called on all the Muslims to pool resources to equip the office of the Chief Kadhi, saying the government cannot help because of diversity in religion.
On the sighting of the moon, he urged Muslims to be guided by the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (SWT), Sunna, Quran and Ij’mah (consensus of Muslim scholars).
“The teaching also stipulates that it is a sin to fast during Idd-ul-Fitr and that is an issue which we can’t close our eyes to. The issue of those fasting following the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia and locally shouldn’t arise if we can sight the moon locally and remove any doubt among our faithful,” he said.
“However, we can all succeed only if we respect one another and our institutions. If we have the machinery, a whole department on this, and follow the guidance of our religion, then this confusion wouldn’t be witnessed,” he added.
In Nairobi, a section of Muslims who celebrated yesterday gathered at Sir Ali Muslim grounds in Ngara where Sheikh Abdullatif Abdulkarim called for unity among the faithful.
“We should use this celebration to help the less unfortunate in society and preach peace in our nation. Let’s care for each other and pray for our leaders,” he said.
Muslims in Nakuru hold prayers at Menengai High School ground on March 30, 2025 to mark Idd ul-Fitr to mark the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
In Nakuru, the Muslim community thronged Menengai High School grounds, Ramah Mosque and Shabab grounds for prayers to mark the end of Ramadhan.
The event was marked by calls for peace and unity in the country, with clerics thanking President William Ruto and the government for removing all the obstacles towards acquiring of national identification cards.
“We thank President William Ruto for listening to the cry of our people. The whole country should enjoy the benefits of citizenship as we live in unity,” said Nakuru Muslim Association chairperson Faez Ahmed Nasher.
Muslims sing and beat drums at Kakamega Jamia Mosque on 30 March 2025 during Idd-Ul-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadhan.
On the issue of conflict in the sighting of the moon, he was categorical that such should not hinder or delay Idd prayers.
“We all have one agenda, to uplift the name of Allah. Those who have sighted the moon today let them celebrate, but those who will cite it tomorrow so be it,” said Mr Nasher.
Hundreds of Muslims in the Coast region packed open grounds, mosques and community halls to mark the end of the fasting month. Tononoka and Mvita grounds were a hive of activity as Muslims who had followed the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia gathered for prayers.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri and other leaders were among the faithful who attended prayers at Tononoka grounds.
Muslims converge for the Idd Prayers to mark the end of Ramadhan at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa March 30, 2025.
Mr Joho urged Kenyans to support the unity pact between President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying their cooperation is essential for national progress.
“This broad-based government is for everyone. We ought to say we need more representation rather than opposing or criticising it. Representation is very critical. Everyone needs to feel represented in one way or another,” Mr Joho stated.
He noted that the country was experiencing a shift from exclusionary politics to a more inclusive governance approach.
“For far too long, the politics of our country has been ‘first past the post.’ If you pass the post, it is done, and those left behind have no say, meaning, or contribution in their government. There has now been a paradigm shift. All of us should embrace it,” he added.
Mr Joho encouraged young people to make the most of their youth, warning that misusing their time would lead to regret in old age.
“Youth is fleeting like smoke, if you don’t use it wisely, you will have deep regrets. This day won’t come again. When you go home in the evening, reflect on whether you did something meaningful with your life during the day,” he advised.
The CS further defended government leaders against growing criticism, urging those opposing every move to offer constructive solutions instead.
Muslims at Uasin Gishu Primary School during Idd-Ul-Fitr prayers presided over by Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, Imam of Eldoret Jamia Mosque in Eldoret City on March 30, 2025.
“In politics, the easiest thing to do, and probably what makes one popular, is to criticise without offering any solution. Criticism needs no education or expertise. These days, it only requires data bundles and a smartphone,” he said.
In Kisumu, Muslims gathered at Highway Primary School grounds to celebrate Idd. During the festivities, they called on the government to enhance healthcare delivery nationwide. They said that the controversial Social Health Authority could be effective if properly implemented.
As part of the celebrations, goats were slaughtered, and the faithful enjoyed meals of chapati and pilau. Food vendors at Kibuye Market reported brisk business.
Muslim leaders in Homa Bay called on Kenyans to respect leaders in authority as a means of promoting peace in the country. Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims (Supkem) Secretary in Homa Bay Nuhu Masud Omollo said the country may plunge into anarchy should Kenyans disobey their leaders.
Meanwhile, the Muslim community in Baringo County raised concern that they face insecurity over claims of supporting and sympathising with terrorists.
Baringo Central Supkem chairman Yassin Hamisi said the perception has put their lives at risk.
“Religion should not be used to brand us as criminals,” Mr Hamisi said at Kabarnet Mosque.
He lauded the government for abolishing extra vetting for IDs in North Eastern.
“The extra vetting of locals in the North Eastern was not only discriminatory but also led to ethnic profiling. Residents now feel equal to other Kenyans.”
By Cecil Odongo, Eric Matara, Boniface Mwangi, Florah Koech, Oscar Kakai, Brian Ocharo, Domnic Ombok and George Odiwuor