Over the years, Muslims in Kenya have continued to experience discrimination in employment and access to opportunities, acquisition of national identification cards, passports and birth certificates, all of which are rights for all Kenyan citizens. They have been left out of mainstream political, social and economic national life. Government development policies formulation and subsequent implementation have largely been skewed leaving Muslim dominated parts of the country disadvantaged and marginalized.

The US led war on terrorism provided an avenue for arbitrary arrests of Muslims, illegal confinement and subsequent rendition to foreign lands.

It was this background of extreme injustices that gave rise to the formation of NAMLEF, so that together, Kenyan Muslims could rid themselves of these injustices.  Since inception, NAMLEF has had a number of successes. It successfully pushed for inclusion of expanded Kadhi Courts in the Draft Constitution of 2005.

NAMLEF’s effort to improve the governance environment has since resulted in increased and better representation of Muslims in Parliament and Local Authorities in the Country. In addition, NAMLEF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and its presidential candidate, the current Prime Minister to provide an enabling environment for addressing and mainstreaming of problems facing Muslims. The creation of the Ministry of Northern Kenya and other ASAL regions was a direct result of some of these efforts.

Core Values

In the discharge of its mandate and pursuit of its vision NAMLEF is guided by the following core values.

Integrity and Accountability

NAMLEF’s leadership and staff adhere to and uphold the highest standards of integrity

God Fearing and Sincerity

NAMLEF adheres to and is guided by Islamic etiquettes and teachings in all its undertakings. All its policies and activities are for the pleasure of Allah swt, sincere service to fellow Muslims and the overall betterment of our country Kenya.

Sacrifice

Individually and collectively the leadership and staff embrace sacrifice in their work, offering selfless service for the collective benefit of Muslims and the country in general.

Accommodative

NAMLEF strives for consensus in decision-making. NAMLEF recognizes the diversity of our communities, abilities of our people and their individuality. This constructive engagement is for mutual benefit   of our people.

NAMLEF is committed to articulating and representing aspirations and concerns of Islam and the Muslim community in Kenya while addressing issues of national importance. These are to be achieved by:

• Consolidating the gains of the community - politically, socially and economically.
• Forging a united approach to issues of relevance to the collective interest of the community.
• Generating a collective and consolidated response to the myriad issues facing the community.
• Agitate and participating in relevant forums to ensure Kenya is governed justly to create a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous nation based on good governance, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
• Ensuring the rights of Muslims in particular and Kenyans in general are safeguarded.