Raila takes action after pledging intervention in Kwale land row
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has moved to take action to defend a historic Islamic holy site and community land in Kongo, Kwale County, following concerns over a reported attempt to grab the land.
In a statement shared via his official X account on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Raila said that he had met Ministry of Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir to find a solution regarding the matter.
The former prime minister further stated that he had instructed his legal advisor Paul Mwangi to closely work with Korir to protect the land.
“I recently held discussions with the Muslim community at Kongo, Kwale County, over the attempt to grab their community land. Following that, I met with the principal secretary at the Ministry of Lands, Mr. Nixon Korir regarding the same matter. Paul Mwangi, my legal advisor is under instructions to work with Mr. Korir to protect this Islamic holy site and national monument and its adjacent lands that are held in trust for the Muslims of Kwale County,” Raila stated.
Raila threatens legal action
This comes a day after Raila threatened to take legal action to contest the grabbing of the 16-acre piece of land belonging to the Kongo Mosque.
Raila, who inspected the property on Sunday, April 20, called for the prosecution of land grabbers, whom he accused of attempting to claim ownership of the prime parcel from the Kwale Islamic Centre Community.
Raila went ahead to claim that unscrupulous people have resorted to paying judges to get their way, noting that EACC had been brought in to investigate this bribery in the judiciary.
“They used backdoor methods to acquire this ruling. The courts should not have allowed such a ruling without proper process, and the EACC will help us expose the corruption involved,” Raila said.
Raila proposes solution
He also advised the Muslim community in Kwale County to construct a high-end resort to fend off those planning to seize the land.
Speaking at the mosque, Raila 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.”
