Kenya is set to benefit from a landmark humanitarian initiative launched by Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, in honour of his late brother, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.
The ambitious project, known as Rashid Villages, aims to provide underprivileged families with homes, and a holistic foundation for a dignified and sustainable life.
The announcement marks the beginning of a global campaign that seeks to blend compassion with practicality, turning the memory of Sheikh Rashid into a living legacy of hope.
For Sheikh Hamdan, the project is about carrying forward the values his brother embodied before his untimely passing in 2015.
Speaking during the launch, Sheikh Hamdan reflected on his brother’s quiet but impactful life. “May Allah Almighty have mercy on Rashid. He was a man whose heart was devoted to quiet acts of goodness, always extending kindness to those around him,” he said.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that this initiative would ensure his brother’s legacy continues through transformative projects that reach the world’s most vulnerable. “My brother’s impact will remain alive through Dubai’s humanitarian projects and initiatives that carry hope and goodness to the world,” he added.
The villages will carry Sheikh Rashid’s name as a tribute, anchoring his memory in tangible community development. According to organisers, this approach underlines Sheikh Rashid’s lifelong commitment to compassion, and reaffirms Dubai’s belief that philanthropy should inspire dignity, not dependency.
Kenya was chosen as the starting point for Rashid Villages, with the first site expected to uplift about 1,700 people. The model village will feature fully furnished housing units, a healthcare centre, a school, clean water infrastructure, and renewable energy solutions.
Rather than creating temporary shelters or fragmented aid, the design integrates essential services in one sustainable package. The aim is to reduce the cycle of vulnerability that many rural families face by providing secure housing, access to education for children, and healthcare for communities that often travel long distances for basic treatment.
Sheikh Hamdan outlined the long-term vision, saying: “Through Rashid Villages, our goal is to transform lives in a lasting way to bring back hope, provide a foundation for dignity, and reaffirm that in Dubai, generosity is not merely a value but a way of life, one that continues to open doors to growth, stability, and opportunity.”
Residents in Kajiado County, where the first village is expected to rise, described the project as a dream come true. For many, the promise of a secure home, a nearby school, and medical facilities represents a generational shift. Community voices emphasised that beyond the physical benefits, the initiative offers renewed hope for children and families long accustomed to uncertainty.
While Kenya will host the first Rashid Village, the project is designed to expand across Africa and Asia over the next decade. Each village will follow the same holistic model, creating sustainable ecosystems that blend housing with critical services. Organisers project that tens of thousands of families could ultimately benefit.
For Sheikh Hamdan, the project is deeply personal. His words during the launch painted a picture of his brother not only as a member of Dubai’s royal family but as a man defined by quiet compassion. By naming the villages after him, Sheikh Hamdan has ensured that Sheikh Rashid’s values will live on in the lives of families far from Dubai’s glittering skyline — in Kenya’s rural landscapes, where children will go to school, families will sleep safely, and communities will thrive.