The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has halted the illegal sale of a Sh1.4 billion cultural heritage site in the coastal county of Kwale by alleged grabbers.
The EACC has moved to court to stop the illegal sale of public land gazetted as a Cultural Heritage Site measuring approximately 6.405 hectares situated in Diani area, Kwale County, by private individuals.
The Commission, through an application dated May 6, 2025, sought to halt a sale of the property as advertised by the individuals.
In the court document, EACC is seeking preservation orders restraining the two from alienating, disposing of, transferring, charging, leasing, or subdividing the land at Tiwi Kwale.
The Court granted interim orders pending the hearing and determination of the Application on June 10, 2025.
Further, the anti-graft commission, in its efforts to safeguard public interest, during this investigation, has registered a caution over the subject property at the Land Registry to prevent any further transactions.
EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdi Mohamud, who visited the Kongo mosque site, is urging both public offices, public officers and the public at large to remain vigilant and cooperate with the EACC and share any information that will be useful in supporting the investigation process.
In April 2025, the commission received a report from the public that private individuals had allegedly grabbed the piece of land measuring 6.405 Hectares near the Kombo Mosque at Diani area.
The land had been reserved as an ancient monument and the Kwale Islamic Centre for use by the Muslim population in Kwale County.
Mohamud said that the land in question has allegedly been advertised for sale at Sh1.4 billion by the two individuals who claim to be the owners of the property.
He said the commission commenced an investigation and made the following preliminary findings that the land is a prime land bordering a public beach and adjacent to the Mwachema River, famously known as Kongo River.
It is the host to the Kongo Mosque built in the 14th century by Arab traders and has historical features, including the structure of the prayer area and graves belonging to the Persian Arabs.
It was gazetted as a National Monument in 1927 by the then Acting Governor of the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya.
In 1983, the Government of Kenya gazetted the Kongo Mosque Diani and all the surrounding land of the mosque as a protected National Monument under the Antiques and Monuments Act No. 2 of 1983 vide gazette notice number 440.
On December 16, 1986, the parcel of land was registered as a new grant and a title, and was issued to late president Daniel Arap Moi, who later surrendered the land on March 6, 2009, upon learning that the property had been reserved for public purposes as an Islamic Centre of Kwale.
Later in 2012, the parcel of land was given to the Kwale Islamic Centre under the custody of the Kongo Development Committee.