Kenya Hajj Mission Joins Global Preparations for 2026 Pilgrimage in Jeddah

Kenya, 22 May 2026 - Kenya’s Hajj Mission has joined representatives from 78 countries in high-level talks in Jeddah aimed at strengthening preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage and improving safety measures for millions of Muslim faithful expected in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting, convened by Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah, brought together heads of Hajj affairs offices from Islamic nations and countries with Muslim communities during the semiannual Hajj affairs conference held alongside the 50th Grand Hajj Symposium.

Kenya’s delegation was led by Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) National Chairman Hassan Ole Naado and Secretary General Sheikh Abdullahi Salat, accompanied by Kenya’s Consul General in Jeddah Ambassador Aden Muhamud Mohamed.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Ole Naado said the discussions focused on enhancing coordination, pilgrim safety and operational preparedness ahead of the 1447AH/2026 Hajj season.

“Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah convened with 78 officials and heads of Hajj affairs offices from Islamic nations and countries with Muslim communities during the semiannual meeting of Hajj affairs offices in Jeddah,” Mr Ole Naado said.

“He commended the collaboration among Hajj affairs offices and emphasized the critical importance of early planning and adherence to regulations in enhancing the Hajj system's readiness and improving the services offered to pilgrims,” he added.

The Saudi minister urged participating countries to strictly follow approved transport and crowd-management plans to avoid congestion and safety risks during the pilgrimage.

“He highlighted the necessity of following approved transportation and crowd-management plans, cautioning against random group movements in the holy sites due to their potential impact on both pilgrim safety and traffic flow,” Mr Ole Naado said.

The minister also advised pilgrims to remain inside designated camps in Arafat during peak daytime heat between 10am and 4pm.

According to the Kenya Hajj Mission, the meeting reviewed operational readiness for the upcoming pilgrimage season, including transportation logistics, accommodation arrangements, health measures and coordination among participating missions.

“The meeting also assessed the Hajj system's preparedness for the 1447 AH season, discussing various initiatives, operational services for pilgrims, and strategies to strengthen coordination with Hajj missions,” the statement said.

Kenya sends thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia annually for Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, which draws Muslims from across the world to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

In recent years, Saudi authorities have intensified crowd-control and heat mitigation measures following concerns over extreme temperatures and the safety of pilgrims during peak rituals.

The Kenya Hajj Mission said it would continue working closely with Saudi authorities and stakeholders to ensure Kenyan pilgrims have a safe and well-organised pilgrimage experience.

“The Kenya Hajj Mission remains committed to working closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a safe, organized, and spiritually rewarding Hajj experience for Kenyan pilgrims,” the mission said.