In Mombasa and all along the Swahili coast of Kenya and in the historic Somali district of Eastleigh in Nairobi, Ramadan is always a celebration, as well as a month of prayers and 'spiritual cleansing'.
Africa has also made this sacred holiday a time for socialising, with after-dark dinners in communal homes, with feasts of local delicacies often prepared by mothers and grandmothers in Arab neighbourhoods such as Barani and Shella.
This year, Ramadan is expected to kick off in the evening today, Sunday 10 March, although exactly when the moon will be fully visible in Mecca must also be adhered to in Kenya.

Ramadan corresponds to the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the cadence of this period varies from year to year. During this month, corresponding to the time when the Qur'an was revealed as a guide for mankind and a clear proof of righteousness and salvation, Muslims are required to fast by abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, having sexual intercourse during the day and limiting themselves to eating a small evening meal called iftar after a prayer that breaks the fast until the next morning. Abstained from observing Ramadan are children, the sick, people travelling, pregnant women, those breastfeeding or those who are menstruating.

During Ramadan, it is common practice for believers to go to the mosque to pray. In addition to the usual five daily prayers, a special prayer called Taraweeh (night prayer) is added during this period. On the evening of the last day of the holy month, which coincides with the belief that Muhammad received the revelation of the holy Quran on that day, Muslims celebrate Laylat-al-Qadr (the night of power).
The end of Ramadan is celebrated, corresponding to the first day of the month of Shawwal, with a three-day holiday (Id-al-Fitr) that sees the reunion of friends and relatives, exchanges of gifts and family meals.