Constitution of Kenya, 2010
104
PART 3—SUBORDINATE COURTS
Subordinate courts.
169. (1) The subordinate courts are—
(a) the Magistrates courts;
(b) the Kadhis’ courts;
(c) the Courts Martial; and
(d) any other court or local tribunal as may be established by an
Act of Parliament, other than the courts established as
required by Article 162 (2).
(2) Parliament shall enact legislation conferring jurisdiction,
functions and powers on the courts established under clause (1).
Kadhis’ Courts.
170. (1) There shall be a Chief Kadhi and such number, being not
fewer than three, of other Kadhis as may be prescribed under an Act
of Parliament.
(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to hold or act
in the office of Kadhi unless the person—
(a) professes the Muslim religion; and
(b) possesses such knowledge of the Muslim law applicable to
any sects of Muslims as qualifies the person, in the opinion of
the Judicial Service Commission, to hold a Kadhi’s court.
(3) Parliament shall establish Kadhis’ courts, each of which shall
have the jurisdiction and powers conferred on it by legislation, subject
to clause (5).
(4) The Chief Kadhi and the other Kadhis, or the Chief Kadhi and
such of the other Kadhis (not being fewer than three in number) as
may be prescribed under an Act of Parliament, shall each be
empowered to hold a Kadhi’s court having jurisdiction within Kenya.
(5) The jurisdiction of a Kadhis’ court shall be limited to the
determination of questions of Muslim law relating to personal status,
marriage, divorce or inheritance in proceedings in which all the parties
profess the Muslim religion and submit to the jurisdiction of the Kadhi’s
courts.
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