Busia Mosque faces demolition threat over Sh50,000 land compensation dispute
The donor, accompanied by his three sons, recently visited the mosque and informed its leadership that the land must either be vacated or the Muslim community compensate the family for the property.
A mosque in Busia County is facing the threat of demolition unless the local Muslim community raises Sh50,000 to compensate the family of the landowner.
The Kwangamor Islamic Centre in Teso South Constituency has become a vital place of worship and Islamic learning for Muslims in the area, serving not only local worshippers but also reverts seeking religious guidance.
According to the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) Western Region Coordinator, Cassim Ochiba, the mosque was constructed several years ago on a 50-by-100-foot parcel of land after a Muslim benefactor generously permitted the community to use his property for the project.
However, the arrangement has now come under challenge after the donor, accompanied by his three sons, recently visited the mosque and informed its leadership that the land must either be vacated or the Muslim community compensate the family for the property.
Following a series of discussions between the family and mosque officials, both parties reached an agreement requiring the Muslim community to raise Sh50,000 to secure the land and safeguard the future of the mosque.
Ochiba described the situation as heartbreaking, noting that the mosque has become an important spiritual centre for the surrounding community.
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"Imagine the heartbreak of seeing a House of Allah, where believers gather to worship their Creator, where children learn the Holy Qur'an, and where new Muslims have embraced Islam and found guidance, being demolished or forced to relocate simply because of a lack of funds," he said.
He appealed to well-wishers, Muslim organizations, and philanthropists to contribute towards raising the Sh50,000 needed to secure the land permanently and protect the mosque from demolition. "Sadly, this beacon of Islam now faces demolition unless we come together to save it," Ochiba added.
He said losing the mosque would be a major setback for the growing Muslim population in Kwangamor, as it serves not only as a centre of worship but also as a hub for religious education, community gatherings, and outreach activities.
The appeal comes barely months after the mosque underwent extensive renovations through Tuungane Tupake Rangi Miskiti Gharb Kenya, a grassroots WhatsApp initiative that mobilizes donations from well-wishers to renovate mosques across Western Kenya.
The facelift transformed the once modest structure into a more welcoming place of worship, breathing new life into the local Muslim community. Since the renovations, the mosque has witnessed increased attendance, with congregants now observing all five daily prayers regularly.
Jumu'ah (Friday) prayers have also been firmly established, while Qur'an classes and other Islamic educational programmes have expanded, benefiting both children and adults.
Further information can be obtained from Cassim Ochiba, the NAMLEF Coordinator, Western Region on 0722 157 117
