About 1,500 vulnerable Muslim families in Mombasa County have received food packages from the Mombasa Somali Community Association to support them during the remaining days of the holy month of Ramadhan and the upcoming Eid celebrations.
The food distribution exercise took place at Mbaraki Grounds in Mvita Sub-County, where hundreds of beneficiary families gathered to collect essential supplies aimed at easing the financial strain on fasting households amid the high cost of living.
Speaking during the event, Mombasa Somali Community Association Treasurer Ibrahim Mohamed said the initiative targets vulnerable families across Mombasa County and is intended to help them sustain themselves for the remainder of Ramadan.
“Our target is to reach 1,500 families. This will take them through the remaining days of Ramadhan and also help them celebrate Eid,” Mohamed said. He thanked sponsors for their contributions, which made the exercise possible.
“We are thankful for our sponsors who supported this food donation. I would like to thank KCB Bank for its contribution. We also received support from Absa Bank and Takaful Insurance,” Mohamed added.
Mohamed noted that the association hopes to attract more sponsors in future to expand the programme and assist additional needy families in the county.
Secretary General of the Mombasa Somali Community Association Abdii Diiriye thanked well-wishers for supporting the effort to assist less fortunate Muslim families.
Each beneficiary received a comprehensive food package containing five kilograms of rice, four kilograms of maize flour, six kilograms of wheat flour, two litres of edible cooking oil, two kilograms of dry beans, salt, tea leaves and three kilograms of sugar.
“The supplies are expected to sustain families for the remaining days of Ramadan,” Diiriye said.
He explained that this marks the second edition of the association’s annual Ramadan food distribution initiative, with plans underway to scale it up next year.
“This is the second edition of our food donation and distribution. Next year we plan to increase the number of beneficiaries from 1,500 to at least 3,000 vulnerable families,” Diiriye said.
Association member and businessman Ibrahim Dube said the drive reflects the spirit of charity emphasised during Ramadhan.
“This is the holy month of Ramadhan and Muslims who are well-off are expected to support the less privileged members of the community. As the Somali community in Mombasa, we came together to help those who are in need by donating food,” Dube said.
He credited donor support for strengthening the initiative and helping struggling families. Dube urged Muslims across the country to organise similar charitable efforts in their communities.
“We are calling upon our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community across the country to emulate this gesture and help the needy during this blessed month,” he said.
The organisers wished the Muslim community a blessed Ramadhan and peaceful Eid celebrations.
By Sitati Reagan
