How to trigger update in mmenu after dynamic list update

Question

I am using the mmenu plugin found here http://mmenu.frebsite.nl/. It works with a pre-defined list.

I am using for a contact list where users change state regularly. I have tried the below function to update the list dynamically but the mmenu plugin seems to be no longer working with the newly added items.

is there a way to make it update?

function updateChatContacts() {
    $(".contacts-list-chat").empty();

    for (var key in contacts) {
        var state;
        if(contacts[key].state === 'DND')
            state = 'busy';
        else if(contacts[key].state === 'page-me')
            state = 'away';
        else
            state = contacts[key].state;

        var elem = '<li class="img no-arrow">'+
                        '<span>'+
                            '<i class="'+state+'"></i>'+
                            '<img src="assets/img/avatars/avatar2.png" alt="avatar 2"/>'+
                            '<div class="chat-name">'+key+'</div>'+
                            '<div>'+state.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + state.slice(1)+'</div>'+
                        '</span>'+
                        '<ul class="chat-messages">'+
                            '<div class="chat-input">'+
                                '<input type="text" class="form-control send-message" placeholder="Type your message" />'+
                            '</div>'+
                        '</ul>'+
                    '</li>';

        //if (markers[key].selected === true) {
        $(".contacts-list-chat").append(elem);

    }
}