A Senior Imam in Kenya has been arraigned in court over a Sh 774,000 fraud.
Omar Athman Omar, 49, is accused of obtaining the money from one Mohamed Salim Bahlewa by pretending that he was in a position to facilitate him to the Muslim Pilgrimage, commonly known as Umrah at Mecca in Saudi Arabia, a fact he knew to be false.
Omar, a Malindi resident, is alleged to have committed the offense on 18th and 19th December 2025, wih intent to defraud.
He denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina.
The prosecution opposed his release on bail on grounds that he is a flight risk.
This was based on the fact that the Imam occasionally travels to Saudi Arabia for his call of duty.
The court also heard the police are still investigating the matter and more complainants are expected to turn up hence his release might interfere with investigations.
His lawyera opposed the application on grounds that the Imam is a Kenyan with friends and connections in the country.
According to the defense, the Imam, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia on 18th December would not have returned to Kenya to face these allegations.
The court will deliver the ruling on the opposition of bail on 10th February 2026.
