The politicization of Muslim organizations and the future of Islamic-Oriented politics in Kenya

Abstract

Following the political liberalization of the early 1990s, Muslims in Kenya took advantage by increasing their political activities. During this period, an anti government posture among Muslims was manifest, culminating in the creation of the Islamic Party of Kenya (IPK). Perceived discrimination and marginalization by postcolonial regimes provided a forum for mobilizing Muslims to demand justice by resorting to politicized Islam. This article studies the politicization of Muslim organizations in Kenya, focusing on the emergence of the IPK upon the perceived failure of the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims (SUPKEM), and also the deterioration of the IPK because of ethnic divisions encouraged by the government. Due to the lack of a Muslim political party to articulate their grievances, a number of organizations were formed to provide Muslims with a platform for engaging in national politics, thereby increasing the politicization of Islam in the country.