Envoy to Oman yet to report to station six months later, contests for Council of Imams post

CIPK Secretary General Sheikh Mohamed Dor

MOMBASA: Former nominated MP Sheikh Mohamed Dor Yaqub who was appointed Kenya's High Commissioner to Oman last year is yet to report to his new station.

Dor successfully ran for re-election as Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) secretary general on Saturday.

Most of the new envoys appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and approved by the National Assembly have since reported to their new stations.

The former MP told The Standard that he will be leaving for Muscat, the Oman capital, soon following conclusion of processing of his papers.

"I will be leaving the country any time as I now have all the documents," Dor said, adding that the processing of his documents had taken longer than it was expected.

He, however, declined to explain why he had taken part in CIPK's elections since the overseas posting will mean a long absence from the country. He also remained tight-lipped whether he has been drawing a salary for his new posting.

NO ANSWER

Attempts to get an explanation from the Foreign Affairs ministry on the matter were also unsuccessful as the PS, Karanja Kibicho, sent a short message saying he was not ready to respond to speculation. "Get your facts first. I will appreciate to address a factual matter and not speculation," said Mr Kibicho in the SMS.

CIPK acquired fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s for championing Muslim rights, but later fall out of favour with radical Muslims who accused it of being a State project.

During the Saturday polls, acting Chairman Abdalla Ibrahim Ateka was confirmed to the position, while outspoken Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa and Sheikh Hassan Omar were re-elected as national organising secretary and treasurer respectively.

Former assistant treasurer Sheikh Hassan Suleiman was elected vice chairman, Sheikh Mohamed Daud (assistant secretary general), Sheikh Ramadhan Mohamed Mwasengeza (assistant treasurer) and Sheikh Abdalla Tiva as assistant national organizing secretary.

The team picked on Saturday will be in office for five years.