BARINGO—Paul Tallam, the Ward Administrator who recently summoned officials from four mosques in Eldama Ravine over the use of loudspeakers during the adhan (call to prayers) and prayer times, has issued a formal apology to the Muslim community.
Tallam regretted his action saying every Kenyan has a constitutional right to practice their religious obligations, without being discriminated against and that there was no attempt to deter the four mosques from making adhan.
“We would like to apologise to all Muslims for this issue. I personally apologise for my action and fully respect the Muslims’ constitutional right to practice their religious obligations,” he said. Tallam further committed to promoting understanding and tolerance within the community, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity while upholding mutual respect for all religions in the region for peace and harmony.
One of the Muslim leaders in Baringo, Juma Omar, acknowledged that the dispute had been resolved amicably following a meeting that brought together the leadership of the four mosques.
“We resolved the matter amicably, and now we are focused on improving the mosque facilities,” Omar stated.
During the meeting, representatives from the four mosques agreed to lower the volume of their loudspeakers and ensure that the speakers are set at no more than one-third of their maximum capacity.
The initial reports of the ban on the adhan had sparked concerns within the Muslim community regarding potential infringements on their constitutional right to freedom of worship.
The controversy began when, on August 25, Ward Administrator Paul Tallam issued letters addressed to Jamia Mosque in Eldama Ravine town, Al Aqsa Mosque in Kamelilo, Masjid Noor, and Markaz Tawhid—both located in Milimani in Eldama Ravine. The letters summoned the officials of these mosques to a meeting to discuss noise pollution issues related to the adhan.
According to Tallam, the decision to summon the mosque officials stemmed from public complaints about “excessive noise pollution” during prayer times. The letters invited the mosque representatives to a meeting to address the matter and find a way forward regarding the operation of their amplification systems and sound.
