- Jibril was greenlighted to conquer Africa’s tallest mountain by former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed.
- Following a month of intensive exercise and preparations, he is ready to climb the mountain and reach the fundraising target.
Image: HANDOUT
Ahmed Jibril is on a mountain climbing drive to raise Sh13 million to restore dignity to poor senior citizens failed by state's safety net.
Jibril says the senior citizens, especially in northern Kenya, are neglected, and live a pitiful life, having to depend on alms to afford basic needs and medicine.
The state's social protection programme that disburses stipend to the old people, he said, has failed to serve them well.
The owner of the 748-airline service started the one-week mission last Friday to raise awareness on the squalid conditions of old people in the country.
He says the hike will not only raise awareness on plight of the elderly, but also seek funds from well-wishers directed to Mama Ibado Charity, an organisation established in 2011.
The drive hopes to raise Sh13 million to be used to provide essential food supplies for 1,000 seniors.
The charity was formed in honour of the Mama Ibado Haji Osman (deceased), who started the initiative to address poverty and distress experienced by her peers.
She was disturbed to see seniors supporting their grandchildren by begging and appealing to friends and family instead of living their lives in dignity, respect and peace.
Today, Mama Ibado Charity is an independent NGO fully registered in Kenya and Canada.
Jibril was greenlighted to conquer Africa’s tallest mountain by former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed.
Following a month of intensive exercise and preparations, he is ready to climb the mountain and reach the fundraising target.
“We want to succeed in reaching the summit, we also want to succeed in raising money for our seniors. Every step we take on Kilimanjaro is to honour our seniors," he says.
"That is the purpose for which we have been preparing, keeping fit, and hoping to reach the top. Just like any goal, we want to succeed.”
Jibril adds that his staff has been supportive of his drive. He said he will mobilise adequate help to reach many more senior citizens in the country.
“Thank you to the 748 fraternity for the encouragement and warm wishes as I prepare to summit Mt Kilimanjaro. Your support fuels my determination to make this journey a success for our Seniors4Seniors campaign, bringing essential food supplies and dignity to our cherished seniors.”
Over the past 13 years, he said, the charity programme has been a beacon of hope for many seniors, providing essential food rations, healthcare support and improving living standards for needy seniors aged 60 years and above.
Jibril will be accompanied by the Kiligrit team, a group of senior citizens from diverse backgrounds and professions, who passionately advocate restoring dignity among senior citizens.
They include Hussein Ahmed Farah, Hussein Unshur Mohamed and Abdulbari Abdulrahman.
Others are Mohamed Ibrahim Elmi, Ali Daud Mohamed, Mohamud Issak Duale, Abdikadir Sheikh Hassan, Hassan Sharif Al Beity,Omar Adan Hussein and Abdiwahid Biriq.
One of the flagships of the charity has been food rations programme.
The programme, which has has run since 2011, provides monthly food rations to 50 seniors.
The organisation is appealing for help from individual and corporate entities to help them restore dignity to senior citizens.