Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has waded into the alleged Kongo mosque land-grabbing saga, advising the Muslim community in Kwale County to construct a high-end resort to fend off those planning to seize the land.
Speaking on Sunday at the mosque, Odinga urged them to adopt initiatives by other countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, where such Islamic conference centres are a thing.
"I have spoken to my people and we recommend having two Waqf: one for Kongo Mosque Waqf and a second one, Kwale Islamic Centre Waqf, for the entire land surrounding the mosque. Titles will then be under those two funds," he stated.
"So that we ensure that the land is not stolen, we should have several individuals come up with money to build the Kwale International Islamic Conference and Holiday Resort, where people can come for conferences and holidays and pay money that will go back to the community."
This, he said, would successfully guard the land from unscrupulous people who have resorted to paying judges to get their way.
According to the ODM party leader, the graft commission, EACC, had been brought in to investigate this bribery in the judiciary.
“They used backdoor methods to acquire this ruling,” Raila said. “The courts should not have allowed such a ruling without proper process, and the EACC will help us expose the corruption involved.”
He also vowed to take legal action against individuals who have announced the sale of a 16-acre piece of land in Kwale, where the Kongo Mosque stands.
The theft of the historic mosque valued at Ksh1.4 billion has sparked outrage among local leaders and residents, prompting Odinga to take action, visiting the mosque accompanied by his lawyer, Paul Mwangi, and promising to see to it that the case is solved.
"I will ensure we take this matter to court next week. The actions of those behind this are corrupt and vile, but such evils are not new to this community," he stated.
The imminent unlawful sale of the 16-acre piece of land to a private developer would possibly destroy the coral-stone mosque, which is considered one of East Africa's oldest mosques.
Built by Persian traders, it dates back to the 14th century. It was rediscovered around 300 years ago by Sheikh Mwinyi Kombo, and in 1983, it was officially gazetted as a national monument due to its cultural and historical importance.
