A physically challenged single father from Likoni is appealing for assistance from well-wishers to help him rebuild his small business after losing his vending space in Mombasa’s Central Business District earlier this year.
Athman Abdilkadir Rashid, a resident of Firdhaus village in Timbwani Ward, has been struggling to provide for his four children since Mombasa County Officials removed him from his trading spot along Digo Road in April 2025.
Rashid has been selling Islamic wear such as kanzu, kofia and prayer mats opposite Masjid Konzi since 2017.
“But when the county municipal officers cleared us out, I lost my only source of income and have not had a place to work since,” he stated.
Rashid, who depends on a wheelchair for mobility, said his eldest child is a first-year student at the Kenya Medical Training College, Mombasa campus while the second and third children attend Likoni Primary School, with the youngest in pre-primary.
He noted that without a steady income, meeting his family’s daily needs has become increasingly difficult.
“I’m not used to begging in the streets. I prefer earning from my own business, but I have nowhere to operate from,” he said.
He is now appealing to individuals, organisations, and leaders to assist him in setting up a small shop at his home in Likoni.
Rashid says he’s willing to repay any assistance gradually once his business resumes operations.
“My goal is to avoid unnecessary conflicts with county officials or landlords over rent. If someone can help me build a small one-door shop, I will be grateful and ready to repay slowly according to our agreement,” he said.
By Hassan Bahati
