Take a Muslim marriage, divorce or inheritance case to the Kadhi's Court
The Judiciary of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
If everyone in the case is Muslim and agrees to the Kadhi's Court, file a petition (Form KC 1) with a summons (Form KC 2) at a Kadhi's Court. It decides Muslim law questions on personal status, marriage, divorce and inheritance.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- At a Kadhi's Court: one of the 14 stand-alone courts or a Kadhi's Court inside a magistrates' court
What you need
- A petition in Form KC 1 and a summons to enter appearance in Form KC 2
Steps
- Go to a Kadhi's Court. There are 14 stand-alone ones, and the rest sit inside magistrates' courts.
- File your case as a petition in Form KC 1, together with a summons to enter appearance in Form KC 2.
- Attend the hearings yourself or through an advocate.
- If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to the High Court.
Watch out
- The Kadhi's Court only handles personal status, marriage, divorce and inheritance under Muslim law. Other disputes go to the ordinary courts.
- To appeal, file your notice of appeal within 30 days of the decision.
- The court works in English and Kiswahili.
Who can apply
- Cases where all the parties are Muslim and agree to go to the Kadhi's Court.
Official sources (4)
- Kadhis' Courts judiciary.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Kadhis' Courts Act (Cap. 11) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- The Kadhis' Courts (Procedure and Practice) Rules, 2020 (L.N. 203 of 2020) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Court Registry - The High Court of Kenya highcourt.judiciary.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026