NAMLEF raises alarm over delayed renewal of Naivasha waqf land
Despite submissions of requests for approval in September last year, by Muslim organizations, no update has been from the county government on the matter.
The National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) has urged the Nakuru County Government to fast-track the renewal of a lease for land in Naivasha designated for a waqf (endowment) project.
NAMLEF Chairman Abdullahi Abdi said the renewal was urgently needed to enable the commencement of development plans for the project, which is intended to benefit the local Muslim community. He noted that despite submissions of requests for approval in September last year, by Muslim organizations, no update has been from the county government on the matter.
Abdullahi expressed concerns that the prolonged delay could create an opportunity for unscrupulous individuals to unlawfully claim the land.
“We have information that some people are seeking to take advantage of the expired lease to grab the land. There is no doubt that the land belongs to Muslims. We are therefore appealing to the county government to expedite the renewal so that the waqf project can be implemented,” he said.
The land, registered as L.R. No. 1144/XV/1, is located along Moi Avenue Road in the Lake View area of Naivasha Sub-county.
Following a public notice issued by the Nakuru County Government on September 18, 2026, inviting individuals, institutions, and organizations to submit comments or objections regarding the proposed lease renewal, the Anjuman Himayat-E-Islam (East Africa) based in Nairobi responded in support of the renewal. The organization stated that the land was donated to the Naivasha Muslim community for the establishment of an Islamic community project aimed at providing facilities for worship, education, youth empowerment, and social welfare.
“Our community urgently needs this land to address the shortage of space resulting from a growing population. The project will also benefit the wider Naivasha community by offering programmes in education, skills training, and social support that promote peace, harmony, and development for all residents,” said Mohammed Zafar Niaz, the organization’s chairman.
The Jamia Mosque Committee (JMC), Nairobi echoed these sentiments, affirming that the land rightfully belongs to the Muslim community and is intended for a waqf project.
“We appeal to your good offices to renew the lease in the interest of the growing Muslim community in Naivasha,” said Abdul Bari Hamid, JMC Secretary General in a letter dated September 27, 2025.