Muslim leaders in Taita Taveta County have urged the government to increase relief food supplies to cater to the growing needs of the Muslim community observing Ramadhan.
While welcoming the 300 bags of rice and 246 bags of beans donated by the government, they noted that the supplies were lower than last year’s allocation and may not be sufficient for all the needy families.
The relief food distribution comes at a time when many families across the county are struggling with economic hardships, making it difficult for some to afford basic meals.
Muslim leaders lauded the government for the good gesture urging for more government support in future. Former Kaloleni MCA Omar Ahmed expressed concern over the reduced food supply compared to previous years. He urged authorities to increase future allocations to accommodate the rising number of Muslims in need.
“We appreciate the government’s goodwill, but this year’s food supply is less than what we received last year. The Muslim community is growing, and we urge the government to increase the food portions to ensure all needy families benefit,” Ahmed stated.
He also assured that the Muslim community would continue supporting government initiatives that uplift citizens’ welfare. He said that as they observe Ramadhan, they are praying for national and county leaders to continue steering the country toward peace and stability.
Taita Taveta County Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Chairperson Farida Mtengo echoed Omar’s sentiments, noting that while the relief food was a welcome gesture, it lacked dates which is a crucial item for breaking the fast during Ramadhan.
“We, as Muslim women, appreciate this food donation because it helps us feed our families during Ramadhan. However, we request the government to also provide dates, which are an essential part of our fasting tradition,” said Mtengo.
She assured that the food would be fairly distributed across all deserving families and urged the government to prioritize the needs of the less fortunate in future relief efforts.
Speaking during the food distribution exercise in Voi Sub-County on Wednesday, Taita Taveta County Commissioner Josephine Onunga reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the less fortunate during the holy month.
“The government has stepped in to support the Muslim community during Ramadhan. We have provided food that will be distributed through mosque leaders to ensure those in need get assistance,” she said.
She added that the food would be shared among the 50 mosques in Voi Subcounty and more than 100 mosques across the county, ensuring that disadvantaged families are not left behind during this holy month.
The relief supplies are expected to ease the burden on vulnerable households and allow them to observe their religious obligations with dignity.
