Vulnerable households in Garissa get relief food for Idd-ul-Fitr

The government has distributed relief food in Garissa County to help vulnerable Muslim families ahead of their Idd-Ul-Fitr celebrations.

The celebrations mark the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramadhan.

The food includes 720- 50kg bags of rice and 400 50kg bags of beans.

Speaking during the handover exercise to the distribution committee 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 has been no insecurity incidences in the county and we wish our Muslim brothers all the best as they prepare to celebrate Idul Fitri later this week,” Cherutich said.

Sheikh Hassan Abdi from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) said that it was wise for the government to intervene to help the Muslims who are in need of relief food.

“We have experienced a long drought which has led to the death of our livestock which is our source of livelihood. We want to thank the government for this food and we will make sure that it will get to those who deserve it,” Abdi said.

Idd-ul-Fitr is a festival of breaking the fast and marks the end of the month–long fasting by Muslims during Ramadan.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has already declared Friday, April 21, a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.

Kindiki announced this through a Gazette notice issued on Wednesday.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, I declare Friday, 21st April 2023, shall be a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr," the Gazette reads.