National

Eastleigh Business District Association donates food to Kamukunji families

By Abdirahman Khalif | Saturday, June 15, 2024

The donations were to at least 1,000 families affected by demolition of houses and other structures built on riparian land.

The Eastleigh Business District Association (EBDA) donated food on Saturday to over 1,000 families in Kamukunji's informal settlements, which were affected by the demolition of houses and businesses on riparian land.

The government resolved to tear down the structures to minimise death and other kinds of loss as heavy rains pounded many parts of the country in the March-May season.

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The beneficiaries of Saturday's donations were primarily from Mugunda, Motherland, and Kiambiu in Eastleigh South Ward, Kinyago and Kanunku in California Ward, Blue Estate, Kitu Village, and Majengo in Pumwani Ward, and Kasilili Village in Airbase Ward.

Each family received five kilogrammes of rice, five kilogrammes of beans, five kilogrammes of flour, three litres of vegetable cooking oil, and soap, provisions expected to sustain them for the next two weeks.

Some of the donations that residents of Kamukunji's informal settlements received from the Eastleigh Business District Association (EBDA) on June 15, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif/EV)

Among the guests at the event were EBDA Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi, EBDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mohamad Adan, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, and Eastleigh North MCA Ahmedqadar Dabar.

Ahmed noted that the business community's donation followed a request from Yusuf.

"During the floods, he called us and asked how we could help those affected," he said. "This will not be the end of this Ujirani Mwema (good neighbourliness) programme. It will be continuous."

Mohamad echoed the chairman's sentiments, emphasising their commitment to supporting those in need.

"We have to live peacefully with our neighbours and help them whenever they need it. This Ujirani Mwema programme will continue. Today is not the end."

Ahmedqadar praised the business community for its timely intervention, saying, "As the MCA of the business community, I thank them for taking our advice and donating food to our people."

Yusuf highlighted the employment opportunities the EBDA has provided in Kamukunji and beyond.

"Every shop that opens in Eastleigh employs people. When hotels open, they employ people. When a bank opens, it employs people, mostly from here," he said, adding that business in Eastleigh is a blessing, hence the need for investments by all.

Community members and organisations, among them the taxi-hailing service Faras, have come to the aid of Kamukunji residents in the past as part of efforts to enhance the community spirit and ensure a quality life for all.

Late last month, Faras, in collaboration with various non-profit organisations, distributed assorted food items to at least 1,000 flood-affected families whose homes and other structures were demolished.

On May 11, Business Bay Square, the largest mall in East and Central Africa, donated assorted food items to the same number of people.

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