The Muslim Association leaders in Nakuru have distanced themselves from the illegal construction of stalls on the veranda of the Jamia Mosque within Nakuru city centre on Saturday.

The stalls which were erected illegally were later demolished at foundation level by unknown youth who collaborated with a section of traders within Nakuru city.

In an exclusive interview, Mr. Faezz Ahmed Nasher who is the Chairman Muslim Association Nakuru, said he was informed about the construction while he was out of the County.

Read: Why Nakuru traders stopped construction of stalls opposite Nasher market

According to Nasher, as an Association, they had written to the County Government to allow the Management of Jamia Mosque to have stalls constructed on the veranda of the Mosque.

Chairman Muslim Association Nakuru, Mr. Faezz Ahmed Nasher during an interview on October 30, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

In a letter seen by Mtaa Wangu dated September 20, 2023 and addressed to the Nakuru County City Manager Thabanja Gitau, the Muslim Association said the move would address the challenges facing Jamia Mosque among them insecurity from the street children who have turned the space into toilets hence violating Islamic Fundamentals.

The letter also states that such development would also help address drainage issues especially now that when it rains, the water flows inside the ablution area of the Mosque.

The stalls were also meant to stop continuous harassment by passers-by who keep on insulting Muslims during prayer times.

“Jamia Mosque at the moment is facing a lot of challenges from the side of one of its external perimeter-wall facing Mburu Gichua road. In Lieu of this, the Muslim Association Nakuru is intending to erect structures along the wall to curb the challenges and to also enhance its revenue to meet the rising Muslim Needs…,” reads part of the letter.

However, the letter was never responded to by the County Government of Nakuru.

The letter undersigned by Faezz Ahmed Nasher was copied to Chief Executive Member for Lands, County Secretary and MCA Biashara Ward.

But in a quick twist of events, Faezz Nasher reveals to Mtaa Wangu that having shared their intention with the area Member of County Assembly Fadhili Msuri, he also made a letter to the Association, stating that his office was in the position of finding business spaces for displaced hawkers within CBD.

Watch: Nakuru traders demolish foundation stones outside Jamia Mosque

The MCA goes further to state that he had already identified space on the exterior wall of Jamia Mosque that faces the Mburu Gichua Road.

Nasher adds that the MCA promised to donate four stalls to the Mosque as a way of helping meet its obligations and bills.

Before even before the Association could respond to the MCA’s letter, a group of individuals commenced construction of the stalls

Jamia mosque in Nakuru CBD is the main mosque in Nakuru.

Photo credit: FILE

According to him, they received the news of erection of stalls with shock as they had not received any response from the County giving an okay on the same.

“When the MCA wrote to us the letter, I asked him if he had received any authorization from the county to go ahead with construction of stalls and he admitted that yes he had been given a go ahead,” says Nasher.

Though the Muslim Association Nakuru is yet to receive any communication from the County Government of Nakuru, Nasher says they will always abide by the law and follow the right procedure.

An officer from the County government, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not allowed to talk to the press, reveals that the position of the County government over the issue is that erection of stalls on the said area is illegal and will not be allowed.

But when contacted over the matter, Biashara Ward MCA Fadhili Msuri who was on official trip in Arusha, Tanzania, claimed that the whole issue on the stalls around Jamia Mosque had been politicized by a section of individuals.

According to the MCA, the Muslim Association had approached him and area MP David Gikaria and the latter requested them to seek county approvals as he works on the modalities with Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).

“While the verbal agreement was in place and Hon. Gikaria working around the clock with KURA, the County Executive decided to handle the matter politically,” stated Fadhili.

He questioned why other people are having near similar approvals being agreed upon by the County Executive, but makes it hard to accept the one by the Mosque leadership.

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EXCLUSIVE!! MCA Fadhili, Muslim Association, reveal fresh details on construction of stalls outside Jamia mosque

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Pristone Mambili