Muslim Leaders Resolve to Establish Government Liaison Office After Nairobi Convention

Story by Violet Kerubo & Evans Mutinda

Muslim leaders attending the National Muslim Leaders Convention in Nairobi have resolved to establish a permanent liaison office to strengthen engagement with the government and improve the community’s participation in national economic and development programmes.
In a declaration delivered at the close of the convention on Thursday, the delegates said the proposed office would provide a structured platform for engaging government ministries, public institutions and other stakeholders on issues affecting the Muslim community.
The leaders said the initiative would mark a shift from what they described as historically adversarial engagement towards a more structured, constructive and collaborative partnership with the Executive and Legislature.
They also committed to establishing a permanent technical and administrative unit to coordinate policy engagement, monitor government commitments and provide data-driven briefs to Muslim legislators and civil servants.
Leaders Acknowledge Government Engagement
The convention acknowledged the participation of senior government officials and political leaders, saying their contributions reflected an opportunity to strengthen national unity, inclusion and sustainable development.
The delegates cited an address by President William Ruto, delivered on his behalf by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, which they said focused on national unity and shared prosperity.
They also acknowledged remarks delivered on behalf of the Prime Cabinet Secretary by Professor Abdurazak Shah, highlighting the importance of institutional collaboration and solidarity.
Other leaders recognised for their contributions included United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar and Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan, whose remarks were said to have emphasised the integration of Muslim leadership into national socio-economic activities.
The forum also highlighted discussions led by David Ndii, Chairperson of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, on the historical challenges of African governance and the relationship between political power and economic prosperity.
The delegates said the discussions provided a framework for examining the community’s development priorities within Kenya’s broader economic agenda.
Affordable Housing and Economic Inclusion
The Muslim leaders also acknowledged presentations on affordable housing, noting the importance of government programmes in expanding access to home ownership.
They commended the administration for engaging community representatives during the convention and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to raise issues affecting their constituents.
The delegates said they wanted to see stronger links between national development policies and the needs of Muslim households, institutions, professionals and young people.
They added that economic inclusion and meaningful representation would require sustained engagement with public institutions and greater use of constitutional channels.
Call for Greater Community Representation
In their declaration, the leaders said the Muslim community should take a more active role in articulating and advancing its interests within Kenya’s governance and economic systems.
They argued that although partnerships with government and external development actors remained important, the community needed stronger internal structures to define its priorities and coordinate its engagement.
The delegates said their approach would be guided by democratic principles, trust, honour and ethical responsibility.
They further committed to strengthening Muslim institutions and empowering professionals and young people to participate more effectively in national development.
Four Priorities Outlined
The convention identified several areas of action, including the establishment of a government liaison mechanism, structured engagement with public institutions, economic and policy integration, and institutional capacity building.
Under the proposed liaison arrangement, the office would engage government ministries, the Executive’s delivery structures and other relevant institutions.
It would also coordinate policy briefs, monitor compliance with commitments affecting the community and manage strategic relationships with international bilateral development partners interested in supporting community programmes.
On government engagement, the leaders pledged to pursue dialogue and cooperation rather than rely exclusively on adversarial approaches.
They also committed to developing community-led mechanisms for aligning Muslim development priorities with national economic frameworks, with the stated aim of improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable development.
The delegates said strengthening institutions, supporting professionals and empowering youth would be central to ensuring that Muslim representation in national development remained effective and sustainable.
The convention concluded with a call for mutual respect, cultural partnership and shared civic responsibility, with the leaders expressing hope that the resolutions would translate into sustained engagement and practical development outcomes.