The government has disbursed relief food in Garissa County to help vulnerable Muslim families ahead of the Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations meant to mark the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramadhan.
The food includes 720 bags each containing 50kgs of rice and 400 bags each containing 50kgs of beans.
While addressing the distribution committee at the handover exercise at the Garissa Cereal board stores, county commissioner Boaz Cherutich thanked the residents for maintaining peace and order during the Ramadhan period.
“We urge our residents to celebrate the Ramadhan in peaceful ways. So far, there have been zero incidences of insecurity in the county and we wish our Muslim brothers all the best as they prepare to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr later this week,” Cherutich remarked.
Sheikh Hassan Abdi from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) acknowledged that it was wise for the government to intervene and help Muslims who were in need of relief food during this month of their fasting, especially at a time when ravaging drought in the region had robbed them their livelihood.
“We have experienced a long drought which has led to the death of our livestock, our livelihood source. We want to thank the government for this food and we will make sure that it will get to those who deserve it,” Abdi asserted.
Idd-ul-Fitr is a festival of breaking the fast and marks the end of the month–long fasting by Muslims during Ramadan and it is likely to be on 21 April which may be declared a public holiday by the government.