Cry for more free meals at Kibarani

Fireworks at the Kibarani Miracle Park on New Year / BRIAN OTIENO

Fireworks enthusiasts at the Kibarani Miracle Park on New Year / BRIAN OTIENO

After more than 3,000 street families and other disadvantaged residents attended a New Year celebration at Kibarani Miracle Park in Mombasa, some beneficiaries have appealed for an expansion of the feeding programme to include additional daily meals.

Speaking on Sunday while queueing for food at the park, which was developed by Mombasa Cement Limited, several beneficiaries said they would like the programme to reintroduce breakfast in addition to lunch.

“I was born here in Kibarani when this place was still a dumpsite and survival was difficult,” said Milly Musia, a long-time resident. “After it was turned into a park, the free meals helped many families.”

Kibarani Miracle Park was formerly a dumpsite for more than five decades before being transformed into a recreational space in 2018 by Mombasa Cement.

During New Year 2026 celebrations, residents described as street families and other vulnerable groups from different parts of Mombasa County gathered at the park, where they were served food and received assorted gifts as they ushered in the new year.

Musia said she had lived at the dumpsite for more than 30 years and experienced changes following the park’s redevelopment.

“Before, I struggled to get even one meal a day for myself and my three children,” she said. “When the feeding programme started, I was able to eat regularly and support my children’s schooling.”

According to beneficiaries, the programme at its peak provided at least two meals a day to a large number of people who frequented the park.

However, the feeding programme was temporarily suspended in April 2024 following concerns raised by security agencies, who said the initiative required review in light of emerging security challenges in the area.

At the time, County Commissioner Mohamed Noor said support for vulnerable groups should be complemented by longer-term interventions.

“There must be sustainable solutions, including employment opportunities, alongside humanitarian assistance,” he said then.

The suspension prompted protests by some street residents. A revised approach was later adopted, and the feeding programme resumed in mid-January 2025, but was limited to lunch served between noon and 2pm.

Mombasa Cement founder Hasmukh Patel, who initiated the feeding programme, died on August 29, 2024.

Following his death, some beneficiaries have appealed to his sons, who now oversee the company’s operations, to consider restoring the earlier arrangement.

“When the programme stopped, life became difficult for my family,” said Makari Makamu, who identified himself as a street resident. “We had to use what little money we earned from casual work to buy food.”

Makamu said the resumption of lunch meals brought some relief, adding that even one meal a day made a difference.

He urged the company to consider reinstating breakfast.

Mustafa Gulam, who is in charge of the Kibarani feeding centre, said any expansion of the programme would require consultations within the company and with security agencies.

“At the moment, no commitment can be made,” he said.

On New Year’s Day, Mombasa Cement officer Ibrahim Kari said the celebration was part of an annual tradition established by the late Patel during the Christmas and New Year period.

“This is a continuation of the founder’s tradition of bringing together the less fortunate and members of the public to celebrate,” Kari said.

He added that Patel’s children had chosen to continue the practice following their father’s death.

During the event, attendees were served food including French fries, meat, rice and juice. Some were seen carrying food away after the celebrations.

As midnight approached, participants marked the arrival of the new year with song, dance and fireworks. Local acrobats also performed at the event, which was attended by members of the Patel family.

Kari said the feeding programme at the park has since resumed, with enhanced security measures in place, following earlier reports of disorderly conduct.

He noted that attendance tends to increase over weekends.

Another Mombasa Cement officer, Mohamed Shaheed, said the continuation of the festive activities reflected the company’s intention to maintain the founder’s charitable initiatives.

He also called on the public to uphold peace and unity.