The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers on Friday, May 16, intervened to stop the attempted grabbing of the historic Kongo Mosque, a centuries-old heritage site in Mombasa County.
Led by the EACC Chief Executive Officer, Abdi Mohamud, the anti-graft detectives launched immediate investigations shortly after receiving a tip-off from residents.
After weeks of probing, the officers in May this year secured orders barring any parties from interfering with the property. The EACC also wrote to the Ministry of Lands, instructing it to halt any transactions involving the contested property.
Kongo Mosque, known for its coral stone architecture and distinctive Swahili craftsmanship, has twice been gazetted as a national monument, in 1927 and again in 1983, due to its historical and cultural value.
While addressing the residents after the recovery of the iconic building, which has stood for more than 700 years, the EACC boss assured the locals that the property would remain intact and protected.
“We are here to witness and see the mosque that has been grabbed,” the EACC CEO said. “In April, we received information that individuals had encroached on the land where this mosque, standing here long before Fort Jesus, has been for centuries."
"We assure the public that the property will remain intact,” Abdi Mohamud said firmly, underscoring the significance of the mosque’s heritage and significance to the residents.
During the presser, the anti-graft officers vowed to continue with their vigilance and ensure that Kenya’s historical landmarks are preserved for future generations.
The recovery of the mosque comes amid heightened concerns over rapidly increasing cases of land grabbing targeting public and heritage sites across the country.
In an almost similar incident in December last year, EACC officers recovered a Ksh30 million plot of land which is adjacent to the State House in Mombasa.
The recovery followed court action by the anti-corruption detectives after they established that the two officials had illegally and corruptly acquired approximately 5,296 square feet of public land.
In the ruling, the judge directed that the Ksh5 million be awarded as damages be channelled to EACC accounts as compensation for the costs incurred during the case.
