Over 25million raised in Mombasa tree planting event

More than Sh25 million was raised in the "Plant a Tree Save Gaza" event in Mombasa aimed at raising funds for medical support for the people of Gaza.

The funds were Sh5 million short of the projected Sh30 million targeted by the organisers of the event. The funds will go towards emergency medical care for the people of Gaza who have been brutalized by a two-year Israeli genocide.

According to the organisers, the Voice For Palestine, the funds will go towards funding the costs of more than 400 surgeries and purchasing medicine for hospitals in the besieged enclave.

The funds will be channeled through international relief organizations which are on the ground in Gaza providing much-needed emergency relief support for the people of Gaza.

Speaking at the event on Saturday, November 8, the Mombasa governor, Abdulsamad Sharrif Nassir who was the chief guest, commended the support expressed by Mombasa residents saying that it was part of the global solidarity movement to stand with the oppressed people of Gaza. “As the people of Mombasa, we stand firmly on the side of peace, justice, and humanity. The event, Save a Life, Plant a Tree, is a powerful act of solidarity with the people of Gaza. The suffering of innocent children, women, and families is a tragedy that should move every human heart,” he said.

Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir shares a word with former Senator Billo Kerrow

Addressing the gathering, the Imam of Jamia mosque, Nairobi Sheikh Jamaludin Osman called for more concerted efforts to support the people of Gaza stressing that the funds raised will go towards the intended cause. “I can assure you, the funds will reach the people of Gaza. I have personally witnessed this myself during a trip to Egypt, where I participated in the packaging of items donated from Kenyans to the people of Gaza,” he said.

The Imam called on Kenyans to continue their support through providing financial support, amplifying the cause and justice for the people of Gaza through the social media, and boycotting entities which are actively supporting the genocide. “We should boycott entities such as Coca-Cola; they are fueling the genocide through actively funding the Israeli war machinery," he said.

Under the campaign, participants can purchase a tree at a cost of Sh500, with contributions made through Mpesa Pay Bill 150770, Account: TREE4GAZA (Account Name: Jamia Mosque Committee).

Mombasa Women Representative Zamzam Mohammed hailed the participation of women for their dedication and zealousness in raising funds for the campaign. “We commend the efforts of our sisters and mothers who came out dedicating their efforts to raise funds to help the people of Gaza," she said.

"It was a powerful moment of unity and compassion, seeing so many come together to call for justice, peace, and freedom. Every voice matters, and every step counts in showing that Mombasa stands for humanity,” the legislator added while pledging to lobby her colleagues in Parliament to be part of the cause for supporting the oppressed people of Palestine.

Mombasa Women Representative Zamzam Mohammed addresses the gathering at Mama Ngina Waterfront

Various women's groups, notably Yadul Udya, embarked on an aggressive door-to-door campaign as well as through social media and raised more than Sh9.6 million towards the efforts to support Medicare programs for the people of Gaza.

On his part, the secretary general of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Sheikh Muhammad Dor emphasized the need for more support towards the Palestinian cause, saying that it is an obligation upon all people to stand with the principles of justice and freedom. He also highlighted the tragedy in Sudan saying that regional leaders need to intervene and explore strategies to end the suffering of the people of Sudan.

Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow stressed that Palestinian resistance against colonization of their land was justified by the United Nations and international law. “Palestinians are not terrorists. Just like the Mau Mau which fought against British occupation in Kenya, Hamas and other resistance movements are also fighting against the occupation of their land, which has lasted for more than 75 years,” he said.

The crowd passes through the Mapembeni during the solidarity march on Saturday

In his remarks, the chairman of Voice of Palestine Ahmed Sharrif Gaza spoke about the desperate situation in Gaza, saying that despite the ceasefire, the situation has not yet improved, as Palestinians are still being killed by the Israeli occupation.

His remarks were echoed by the vice chairman Ali Khalid who pointed out the grave injustice, the deafening silence and indifference shown by the United States and Western powers towards Palestinians. “It has never happened in the history of mankind that starving people are called to go and collect food and they instead find themselves being lured into a trap to be killed,” he said, referring to the slaughter of more than 1,500 Palestinians by the US-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

The event commenced with a walk attended by thousands of people from the historic Mapembeni area (Mombasa Tusks) along Moi avenue. Waving Palestinian flags and chanting the slogan, “From the River to the Sea Palestine Will be Free,” the crowds crisscrossed various streets in the coastal city as they headed towards Mama Ngina Waterfront.

At the Treasury square, a display was held depicting the carnage in Gaza, where mothers appeared to carry bloodied children severely injured by Israeli bombings, while red-stained shrouds were displayed symbolizing bodies of children, women, and men killed in indiscriminate bombing campaigns in Gaza.

The peak of the event was the planting of 20 trees at the Mama Ngina waterfront gardens by various leaders to launch the exercise. More than 10,000 trees will be planted in various areas including schools, city streets, and at the Mama Ngina waterfront, in an exercise that will be announced at a future date.

The "Plant a Tree, Save a Life" event was organized by the Voice for Palestine, an advocacy group started by activists in October 2023 to raise voices against the injustices in Palestine and also to support relief efforts in the enclave, which prior to the start of the genocide had gone through 17 years of an Israeli blockade by the Israeli occupation, where food and other essential items were barely allowed in the enclave.

In organizing the Mombasa event, the group collaborated with the Mombasa County government, Muslim organisations, Imams of various mosques and women groups together with Al Haajar TV, which broadcasted the event live on its YouTube channel.

The Voice for Palestine movement brings together a wide network of Muslim organizations and mosques, including Jamia Mosque Committee, National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), Masjid al Ameen, Parklands Mosque, Adams Mosque, Masjid Rahma (Hurlingham), Maahad Da’wah Organization, Park Road Mosque, and the Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Practitioners (KAMMP), among other entities working in unison to support the cause of Palestine.