Pumwani Riyadha Mosque breaks ground on Sh800m Waqf mall project
The Circles Mall will be located within the bustling Gikomba market area is being undertaken through a long-term partnership between the mosque committee and a private investor.
Pumwani Riyadha Mosque in Nairobi’s Majengo area has embarked on an ambitious waqf (endowment) project aimed at strengthening the long-term sustainability of the mosque and supporting community development initiatives.
The project, which involves the construction of a six-storey ultra-modern shopping complex, is expected to significantly transform the area into a vibrant commercial hub and create new economic opportunities for residents.
The Circles Mall will be located within the bustling Gikomba market area and is being undertaken through a long-term partnership between the mosque Trustees and a private investor.
The multi-phase development is projected to cost approximately Sh800 million and will feature a wide range of modern amenities. These will include an anchor supermarket, banking halls, retail outlets, fashion boutiques, convenience stores, food courts, office spaces, and ample parking facilities designed to serve the growing commercial needs of the area.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony held last Friday, the mosque’s Imam, Sheikh Zakaria Abdallah, described the initiative as a major milestone for the mosque and the wider community.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a prayer. May this project grow to benefit our masjid, strengthen our community, and serve as a source of good for all,” he said.
Describing the project as a landmark achievement, Deputy Imam Sheikh Ali Muhsin Shekuwe expressed optimism that the development would not only sustain the mosque financially but also contribute significantly to the socio-economic transformation of Majengo and its surrounding neighbourhoods.
“We thank Allah that this project has finally taken off. It is our expectation that it will help sustain the mosque and that its impact will benefit generations of Majengo residents by promoting social and economic development in the area,” he said.
He added that the during the construction period, the project is expected to create employment opportunities for local residents, particularly women and youth helping to improve livelihoods and stimulate business growth in the community.
The development comes amid ongoing government plans to modernise Gikomba Market, the country’s largest open-air market, into a modern commercial centre. The proposed Sh3 billion ultra-modern multi-storey redevelopment project aims to replace the congested and fire-prone market with a safer and more organised shopping hub featuring modern trading spaces, community facilities, recreational areas, and social centres.