By Kuria Kimani
Sheikh Juma Ngao is the National Chairman of the Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council (KEMNAC). KEMNAC is a registered Non-Governmental Organization that is committed to bringing together Muslim leaders from around the country to ensure a streamlined and unified approach in executing programs and activities to benefit Kenyan Muslims.
Background
Juma Ngao was born in Kenya’s Coastal region to Islamic parents in the 1980s. He grew up at the coast where he also attended primary and secondary school. The sheikh is married and blessed with children. He keeps details about his family private. However, he has a daughter named Asmaa Juma Ngao.
Education
Juma schooled in the Coastal region for both his primary and secondary school education. Upon completion, he enrolled at Kenyatta University in Nairobi to pursue a Bachelor of Education, Education History and Religion.
This laid ground for his later work in the Muslim community in leadership positions.
Career
Sheikh Juma Ngao is a Muslim religious leader. He is also a National Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) director. At the council, he stands in the capacity of a religious leader offering guidance and religious input in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, especially among the Kenyan youth.
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Moreover, Sheikh Ngao is the national chairman of the Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council. He leads the council and represents Muslims all over Kenya in putting their needs and requests made known to the government. KEMNAC is mandated to offer guidance and solutions to problems facing Muslims in Kenya, spearheading community sensitisation on topics such as HIV/AIDS campaigns, promoting interfaith tolerance, initiating Muslim advancement programs, and sustaining peace. Moreover, the council works closely with the government to cooperate in matters such as eradicating faith-based fanatics and ensuring national security.
Sheikh Juma Ngao is also a Commissioner at Wakf Commissioners Kenya. Wakf Commissioners Kenya is a Muslim charitable endowment that is involved asset donations for charity and religious purposes.
Politics
As KEMNAC leader, Sheikh Juma said that Muslim leaders were in support of the Building Bridges Initiative. His alliance with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been evident repeatedly; the latest one being during the Azimio la Umoja convention held on 10th December 2021 at Kasarani Stadium. Raila Odinga announced his presidential bid along with what he would offer Kenyans should he get office in the 2022 general elections.
At the convention, Sheikh Ngao said a prayer asking God to keep UDA away from the State House saying: “Tunakuomba Allah wale wafuasi wa chama cha Ufisadi Daima Alliance, usiwape uongozi. Hao ni wafisadi, hao ni wauaji, wanachoma mpaka makanisa. Kuwapa uongozi ni kuiangazia Kenya. Bariki Raila, Bariki Wakenya, Bariki Kenya na kwa rehema zako Allah tunakuomba utubariki”
The convention was attended by thousands of Kenyans in high spirits as they awaited Raila Odinga’s speech.