UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI FACULTY OF ARTS DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF KENYA MUSLIMS (SUPKEM) BY OMARI HASSAN KINYUA C80/83061/2012 A DOCTORAL RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI NOVEMBER, 2014 i DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for any academic award in any other university or institution of higher learning. Signature………………………………………… Date………………………..… Omari, Hassan Kinyua. This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University Supervisors. Supervisor‘s Signature………………………….Date………………………………… Professor Douglas. W. Waruta Supervisor‘s Signature………………………….Date………………………………… Professor Gilbert. E. M Ogutu Supervisor‘s Signature………………………….Date………………………………… Dr. Abdulkadir Hashim ii DEDICATION I dedicate this academic thesis to my role model Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and His entire family, my mother Lady Rukia Njeri Omari, my grandmother Sabina Gabriel whose encouragement enabled me to reach this level; my kind wife Sophia Abdallah Rashid for her continuous support, my daughters Rukia and Ruqayyah Njeri and my new born son Muhammad Hassan whose tender love and joy taught me to move ahead in life despite challenges. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank Almighty Allah who granted me courage and ability to complete this thesis. In the journey (which continues) of knowledge, there came many who lit up my life. I have a strong spiritual attachment to my early childhood teacher Ustadh Muhammad Said al-Khattat who worked very hard to transfer teachings of the Qur‘an and Sunnah to many members of our generations. After my mother‘s death, there was considerable interruption in my education, I became worried. My Ustadh Muhammad Said Al Khattat, told me, ―My son, don‘t worry; I will impart you with knowledge which will help you achieve your goals in life‖. Those words still echo in my ears. Yes, I dropped out of school in Form two, remained out of school for eight years, after which I went back and sat for my KCSE in 2003 then made my way to University. Special gratitude goes to all my lecturers, and specifically to my PhD supervisors Prof. Douglas W. Waruta, Prof. Gilbert E.M Ogutu and Dr. Abdulqadir Hashim; they helped me develop my thoughts for the research topic. I am very grateful to Prof. Enos Njeru, The Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences-University of Nairobi for his continuous encouragement. Dr. Akaranga, the Chairman, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies University of Nairobi who was always kind and supportive and spared a lot of time to guide me in the improvement of this thesis. I also appreciate the quality assistance of Dr. Abdulaziz Akidah lecturer Arabic Sub Department, University of Nairobi who despite his tight schedule found time to read this thesis pointing out corrections to be made for quality outcome. In addition I am indebted to my mentor Fr. Professor P.N Wachege for his invaluable support throughout my studies. Thanks to Prof. Abdul Ghafour Albusaidy, the National Chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) whose intellectual and moral support helped me complete the study. Without his help, I would not have been able to complete this work. Thanks to my students for their help during data collection in Nairobi, Embu, Kilifi and Mumias. I appreciate guardianship of Sayyid Abdulrahman Sharif Manswab from my teenage to adulthood. A person who has been a constant source of support for me is Sheikh Salim Abubakar Bajaber, Managing Director, Pembe Flour Mills, whose spiritual and material support throughout this research was priceless. For all others whom I have not mentioned- I thank you iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION........................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES .........................................................................................................................x LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... xi ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................................... xii DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL TERMS ......................................................................... xiv ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................xv MAP OF NAIROBI COUNTY ................................................................................................. xvi MAP OF KAKAMEGA COUNTY ......................................................................................... xvii MAP OF EMBU COUNTY..................................................................................................... xviii MAP OF KILIFI COUNTY ...................................................................................................... xix CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY .............................................................................................1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................1 1.1The Spread of Islam in Kenya ....................................................................................................2 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................................................4 1.3 Objectives of the Study ..............................................................................................................5 1.4 Justification ................................................................................................................................6 1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study ...........................................................................................7 1.6 Literature Review.......................................................................................................................7 1.6.1 Leadership ........................................................................................................................7 1.6.2 Islamic leadership .............................................................................................................8 1.6.3 Inroads of Islam in Kenya ...............................................................................................10 1.6.4 Islamic leadership in Kenya ............................................................................................13 1.6.5 Systems Approach ..........................................................................................................17 1.6.6 Gradualist Approach .......................................................................................................19 1.6.7 Contingency Approach ...................................................................................................20 1.6.8 Consistency Approach ....................................................................................................23 v 1.7 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................25 1.7.1 Traits Theory ...................................................................................................................27 1.7.2 Contingency Theory of Leadership ................................................................................28 1.7.3 Situational Leadership Theory ........................................................................................29 1.8 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................................30 1.9 Hypotheses ...............................................................................................................................30 1.10 Research Methodology .........................................................................................................31 1.11 Design and Location of the Study ..........................................................................................32 1.12 Target Population and Sample Selection ..............................................................................33 1.12.1 Sample Description .............................................................................................................33 1.13 Data Gathering Instruments and Administration ..................................................................34 1.14 Data Analysis .........................................................................................................................36 1.14.1 Outcomes ............................................................................................................................37 CHAPTER TWO: FUNDAMENTALS OF ISLAMIC CONCEPT OF LEADERSHIP ......40 2.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................40