Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has stepped in to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged land grabbing at Kongo Mosque in Kwale County.
Speaking directly to the Muslim community at the mosque on Sunday, Raila proposed a plan to protect the land by developing it in a way that benefits the local community and discourages illegal takeover attempts.
Raila encouraged the community to take inspiration from countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia, where Islamic conference centers and resorts have been built around religious sites to secure the land and generate income.
He suggested that a similar development — a modern, high-end resort combined with an Islamic conference center — be established in Kwale.
“I have already spoken to my people and we recommend the formation of two Waqf (Islamic charitable trusts),” Raila said.
“The first should be the Kongo Mosque Waqf, and the second, the Kwale Islamic Centre Waqf, which will cover the entire area surrounding the mosque.
The land titles should be placed under the names of these Waqf to protect it.”
He went on to explain that the idea is to construct the Kwale International Islamic Conference and Holiday Resort, which will serve both as a spiritual and recreational center.
It will host conferences and tourists, with the proceeds going back to support the local Muslim community.
According to Raila, this will be an effective way to keep land grabbers at bay, especially those who try to use their wealth to influence court rulings through bribes.
Raila accused certain individuals of using dishonest and illegal methods to try to acquire the mosque land. He said they have gone as far as bribing judges to secure a favorable court decision.
“They obtained this court ruling through corrupt and underhanded means,” he said, noting that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had been engaged to investigate the suspected bribery within the judiciary.
Raila further pledged to take legal action against those who have publicly advertised the sale of the 16-acre land where the historic mosque stands.
He described the move as criminal and promised the community that he would not let the matter go unchecked.
“I will make sure this issue is taken to court next week,” he said. “Those trying to sell this land are corrupt and their actions are evil. But we in this community have faced such evils before — and we will stand strong again.”
The Kongo Mosque, built from coral stones, is believed to be one of the oldest mosques in East Africa. It is said to have been originally built by Persian traders in the 14th century and was later rediscovered about 300 years ago by Sheikh Mwinyi Kombo.
Recognizing its importance, the mosque was officially declared a national monument in 1983 due to its rich cultural and historical value.
The attempt to sell the land to a private developer has sparked anger among local leaders and residents.
They fear that such a move could result in the demolition of the sacred site. Raila’s visit to the mosque, alongside his lawyer Paul Mwangi, was meant to reassure the community that action will be taken to protect their heritage.
His plan to turn the area into a valuable Islamic and tourist center aims not only to preserve history but also to provide a long-term solution to land grabbing issues in the region.
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