Raila Odinga Pledges Legal Action Against Illegal Land Sale of Kongo Mosque
ODM leader Raila Odinga has vowed to take legal action against individuals who have announced the sale of a 16-acre land in Kwale, where the historic Kongo Mosque stands.
The plot has been valued at Ksh1.4 billion, sparking outrage among local leaders and residents. Odinga, accompanied by his lawyer, Paul Mwangi, visited the mosque on Sunday, April 20, 2025, and declared that he would not allow the land to be unlawfully taken.
Raila stated that the mosque had been granted a title deed during his tenure as prime minister, and he made it clear that he would not relent in defending the community’s rightful ownership of the land. “I will ensure we take this matter to court next week,” he affirmed. “The actions of those behind this are corrupt and vile, but such evils are not new to this community.”
He also revealed that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) would be involved in the case, calling out the judiciary for enabling the fraudulent notice that listed the land for sale.
“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.”
The announcement about the land sale was made despite the mosque and the local community being the rightful owners of the plot. Odinga emphasized that the land had deep historical significance, with the mosque standing as one of the oldest in East Africa.
He further criticized the courts for allowing this decision without due process and vowed to take the matter to higher levels.
As part of his strategy, Odinga proposed that once the case was resolved, the land be subdivided to ensure long-term protection against land grabbing. He suggested that part of it be placed under the trusteeship of the National Islamic Centre and the Kongo Mosque to safeguard its future.
The remaining portion could be entrusted to Kwale County, with plans to develop the Kwale International Conference and Holiday Resort on the property. “This will provide a source of income for the local community,” Odinga explained.
Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito, who accompanied Odinga during the visit, expressed her outrage at the attempted land grab. She condemned the targeting of such a sacred site, saying, “The land belongs to the mosque and the local people, and we will not stand by as it is taken from us.”
The Kongo Mosque, located at the confluence of the Kongo River and the Indian Ocean in Diani, is considered one of East Africa’s oldest mosques. It dates back to the 14th century, built by Persian traders. Over the years, the mosque has gained significant historical importance.
It was rediscovered around 300 years ago by Sheikh Mwinyi Kombo, who, after a dream, led efforts to restore the mosque. In 1983, the mosque was officially gazetted as a national monument due to its cultural and historical importance.
The mosque’s coral stone architecture and surrounding baobab trees reflect its ancient heritage. It continues to be a place of worship, serving up to 500 people during regular prayers and accommodating thousands during major Islamic holidays.
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Raila Odinga Pledges Legal Action Against Illegal Land Sale of Kongo Mosque
