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State gives Sh123m for vulnerable Muslims ahead of Ramadan

Muslims pray during the first day of the Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Ministry of Works club in Nairobi on April 21, 2023. (Photo: Tony Karumba/ AFP)

By Mary Wambui | Thursday, March 7, 2024

The funds will be used to purchase 4,800, 50-kg bags of rice; 12,000 bags of beans, vegetable oil, and 28 boxes of sardine, foodstuff that will ensure access to nutritious meals.

The government has allocated Sh123 million to vulnerable Muslim households ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

The funds will be used to purchase 4,800, 50-kg bags of rice; 12,000 bags of beans, vegetable oil, and 28 boxes of sardine, foodstuff that will ensure access to nutritious meals.

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"This initiative aims to promote religious observance, alleviate financial strain, foster social inclusion, and exemplify the government's commitment to fairness, empathy, and unity among all citizens," Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said in a statement on Thursday.

Mwaura's announcement follows a directive by the government in January for Muslims to be exempted from paying taxes on dates imported for Ramadan. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u said the government had approved the duty-free importation of dates, the goal being "to provide support to the Muslim community".

With March 10 - April 4 being the tentative Ramadan period, the state dates imported and cleared between March 1 and April 20, 2024, would be considered for the tax exemption.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura addresses journalists on March 7, 2024, when he announced a Sh123 million allocation to vulnerable Muslims ahead of Ramadan. (Photo: X/ Isaac Mwaura)

Community spirit

Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday or Tuesday depending on the sighting of the moon.

For a whole month, Muslims abstain from food, drinks and other earthly pleasures between sunrise and sunset, as they pray, internalise the teachings of the Quran and empathise with the less fortunate.

At the end of the holy month, they break the fast in a ceremony called "Eid-al-Fitr", a day which they spend with their families, sharing gifts and engaging in other social activities.

Muslims have also come together to make donations for needy families, a show of the community spirit the season brings. On February 25, thousands took part in Zakat Kenya's Iftar Fun Walk aimed at raising funds to support vulnerable families.

Regional conflicts

Though Kenya is largely peaceful, this year's Ramadhan comes as many countries in the region grapple with inter and intra-state conflicts that are threatening stability.

Sudan was plunged into chaos last April when tensions between its national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces escalated into street battles in the capital, Khartoum.

In the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, millions have been affected by a decades-long war in the Eastern part of the country that has worsened in recent weeks.

In Ethiopia, at least 4.4 million internally displaced persons are severely impacted by conflict, hostilities and climate shocks, with Relief Web estimating that the country needs $3.2 billion this year for humanitarian aid.

At the same time, the situation in Gaza is yet to improve after three days of failed negotiations with Hamas over a possible ceasefire.