Khalid Hossain Ahmed was a Kenyan businessman and industrialist. He was the husband to Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.
According to his family, he passed away on the morning of Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the Nairobi Hospital where he was undergoing treatment following a short illness.
He was a renowned businessman and industrialist whose works uplifted the lives of many.
Background & Education
He was the son of the late Begum Shameem Ahmed. She was a civil servant who served the country in various capacities. Mama Shameem Ahmed was one of the pioneer women in public service who believed in and championed girl child education.
She passed away on November 7, 2018.
The Nairobi businessman was media shy despite being married to a public figure. Detauils of his place of birth and education remain unknown to the public.
Ahmed is, however, reported to have been educated at one of the Ivy League universities abroad.
He was multilingual, and could speak Amina’s native Somali as well as English, Russian, with a working knowledge of French
Family
Ahmed married Amina in 2002. Together they had two biological children, a boy and a girl, and four adopted children.
They are parents of six.
His daughter, Firyal Nur Al Hossain, has managed to maintain a low profile, despite scaling heights in Hollywood, US.
According to her Instagram account profile, she is a fashion designer, with her own clothing line, Capsule (African Luxury Streetwear).
Nur’s clothing collection ranges from khanga shorts and cotton shirts to a blend of Ethiopian fabrics and some exotic pieces.
Her designs have attracted the attention of famous celebrities across the world. During Paris Fashion Week in 2014, rapper Kanye West and his ex-wife Kim Kardashian ordered her design.
Her work has also been featured on top magazines including Zele, Pattern Recognition, LA Fashion, Zen and Fantastic Fall.
Career & Businesses
Though Ahmed’s occupation and businesses remain unknown to the general public, President Uhuru Kenyatta described him as a highly motivated and gifted entrepreneur whose successful businesses employed hundreds of young Kenyans.
“It is very unfortunate that death has robbed our country of a gifted businessman whose contribution to the progress of our nation shall be dearly missed,” the Head of State mourned.
Death
Ahmed’s family announced that he had died at the Nairobi Hospital on the morning of Thursday, July 29, 2021, following a short illness.
In his message of comfort to the family, relatives and friends of CS Mohamed, President Kenyatta mourned late businessman as a gentleman and a strong pillar of his family.
“I have received the disheartening news of the passing away of Mr Khalid Ahmed with great sadness. Mr Ahmed was a great person, a gentleman and a strong pillar of his family.
“My deepest condolences to my colleague and friend Cabinet Secretary Amina, the children and the extended family as they come to terms with the sudden passing away of Mr Ahmed.
“I pray that God, the Almighty grants you the fortitude and grace to go through this difficult period of mourning your beloved spouse, father and relative,” the President condoled with CS Mohamed.
Burial
Ahmed will be laid to rest on July 29, 2021. His body will be held at Masjid Nur in Nairobi’s South C estate before being buried later in the day according to Islamic rites.
