Makongeni residents in appeal to government to save Mosque

Muslim residents around Makongeni estate in Nairobi are wary of the future of the mosque after the estate was demolished to pave way for the affordable housing scheme.

Their worries worsened after a group of youth invaded the mosque last week during Friday prayers and vandalized the iron railings, which acted as the fence.

While the estate was flattened, the mosque and nearby churches so far have been left standing, but without any communication from the authority, worries linger about the future of the houses of worship.

“We have not received any communication on whether the mosque will remain standing or be demolished like other structures, we don’t know what the future portends," said the Imam Sheikh Bashir Muhammad.

During the Friday incident, one person was injured by the goons who attacked worshippers, preventing them from vandalizing the mosque property.

The Imam said even after the matter of vandalism was reported to Makongeni police station, no action has been taken.

“The goons may come again and do more harm, the police up to now have not taken any action to protect the mosque,” he said as he expressed astonishment that it is only the mosque that was targeted in the vandalism incident.

To safeguard the mosque, a mabati (corrugated iron sheets) fence has been put up around the facility.

Sheikh Bashir appealed to the government to spare the mosque or allocate another parcel of land for the setup of another facility for the spiritual welfare of Muslims. “We are not against the affordable housing project, but the government needs to ensure that the spiritual needs of Muslims and other faithful are not encroached upon. We have no other mosque in this area,” said the Imam.

The mosque currently serves residents living within the vicinity of the estate as well as workers in the nearby industrial area. It is the only facility in the area catering for the spiritual needs of Muslim faithful.

The government last week embarked on a demolition exercise of Makongeni estate, among the oldest in the country, to pave way for the construction of modern, high-density affordable housing blocks, which the state says will improve living conditions for Nairobi residents.