Islamic cleric Sheikh Dafallah moves to clear name from NIS list

By Patrick Beja

KENYA: An Islamic cleric named in the recently leaked intelligence report as plotting to assassinate the son to a former Defence Minister Yusuf Haji has come out to deny the allegation.

Sheikh Swaleh Ibrahim Dafallah, who preaches at the Musa mosque at Majengo in Mombasa alongside the late controversial preacher Sheikh Aboud Rogo, met Mombasa security chiefs to clear his name.

Sheikh Dafallah said although he has been a preacher since 1987, he had not advocated for terrorism and said he could be a victim of mistaken identity in the spymaster’s report.

“I visit Musa Mosque only on Fridays and I preach and leave immediately. I don’t advocate for terror in my teachings at all,” he said after meeting the security officers.

Several Imams escorted him from the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) led by Secretary General Sheikh Mohamed Dor, Organising Secretary Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa and Treasurer Sheikh Hassan Omar.

The move comes even as police in the region remain on high alert over activities of various clerics following the recent Westgate terror attack in Nairobi.