A Kenyan Imam, identified as Ustadh Omar Athman, is on the run after allegedly conning multiple Muslim worshippers in a fraudulent Hajj and Umrah travel scheme. Victims from various parts of the country claim they paid the Imam substantial amounts of money for pilgrimage packages, only for him to vanish days before their scheduled departure.
The scheme, disguised as an affordable opportunity to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, promised Umrah visas at Ksh.200,000 a tempting offer for many. One of the victims, Mariam Juma, described the emotional and financial toll of the ordeal. “We were fasting during Ramadan, waiting for departure updates. Suddenly, the Imam stopped responding. He wouldn’t take calls, and everything went silent,” she lamented.
Another victim, Mariam Mohamed Ahmed, says she sent the Imam Ksh.360,000, while her friend Barke Atieno Abdalla transferred a total of Ksh.640,000 through her daughter. Hoping to retrieve her money, Juma tracked Omar’s sister to Malindi, where the Imam is known to preach at Al-Ihsan Mosque. “I came in peace and asked for my money. She told me, ‘Who said you won’t be refunded?’ But nothing happened,” Juma recounted.
The victims, now numbering at least eight, have recorded statements at Lang’ata Police Station and obtained an Occurrence Book (OB) number.
Hussein Hassan Ali Omar, from Nakuru, revealed he invested Ksh.300,000 in 2020, convinced by Omar to support a travel initiative for Muslims. His colleague lost an additional Ksh.200,000. “Elderly women who saved by selling potatoes and sewing were duped. He promised them trips that never materialized,” said Hussein.
Suspicion intensified when Omar posted a new Umrah trip advertisement on his WhatsApp status, indicating the scam may be ongoing. His phone remains switched off, and his whereabouts unknown.
Victims are urging authorities to act swiftly to apprehend Omar and help recover their money. For many, the betrayal by a trusted religious figure is as painful as the financial loss.
