Muslims in Nairobi’s Majengo struggle for Iftar amid harsh economic times

The Muslim community in Majengo, an informal settlement in Nairobi, is struggling to afford food for Iftar during this holy month of Ramadan due to economic hardships.

With a population of over 1,000 Muslim families living in congested conditions, only a few can afford a decent meal to break their fast.

The nearby Pumwani Riadha Mosque has been providing food assistance, but the demand far exceeds what the mosque can supply. Many families remain without enough to eat, relying on limited resources or assistance from neighbours.

Shuaib Hamisi, a 70-year-old resident who has lived in Majengo all his life, is among those facing difficulties. He struggles to find food not only for himself but also for his family.

On most evenings, he relies on neighbours for a meal, often breaking his fast with simple dishes like ugali or githeri, which he sometimes borrows from his mostly non-Muslim neighbours.

“The situation is difficult. Breaking my fast nowadays is very hard because there is no reliable source of food. Dates are rare. We do not even see them,” said Shuaib.

Islamic teachings recommend breaking the fast with dates, but this remains beyond his reach. The cost of dates is currently around Sh350 per kilogram, an amount he cannot afford.

Shuaib believes that his life has been marked by misfortune, as he has always lived in poverty. However, his faith keeps him hopeful despite the struggles he faces daily.

A few meters away, Zaitun Abdirahman, an elderly woman, faces a similar struggle. She notes that Ramadan has come at a time when she is already experiencing financial difficulties.

While fasting helps her conserve food, even getting a single meal to break her fast is difficult.

"Breaking my fast depends on luck. Sometimes you get corn flour for ugali, but there are no vegetables. Other times, you get vegetables but have no maize flour," she said.

Zaitun has attempted different types of businesses, but due to the tough economic situation, none have succeeded. She explains that the financial challenges in the country have made survival even harder.

Harsh conditions

Life in Majengo is marked by harsh conditions. Many of the houses are small and overcrowded, and the roads are in poor condition. Pools of stagnant water and open sewage add to the difficult living environment.

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For many in the slum, the only hope for a meal comes from the Pumwani Riadha Mosque, which prepares iftar food for those who have nothing. However, the food provided is not enough for everyone in need.

A youth-run non-governmental organization operating in the area received food donations from well-wishers at the start of Ramadan. However, the donations were only enough to support 50 families, leaving many others to continue struggling.

Hidaya Wanjiru, a resident of Majengo, describes the situation as severe. She says that some families survive on nothing but water during Ramadan.

"The economy is bad. Sustaining our lives is very hard. Many people do not have food. We are asking any well-wishers who have food to come and help," she said.

Rising food prices and a tough economic climate have made it difficult for many to afford even basic necessities in Kenya.

As the last week of Ramadan begins, the community hopes that more people and organizations will come forward to provide support. For now, many in Majengo remain uncertain about where their next meal will come from.