Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has said his administration will purchase additional land to be used as a cemetery for Muslim faithful.
The county government has identified a piece of land besides the Lang’ata cemetery to help the Muslim community inter their departed loved ones.
Burial is a sacred event for Muslims, a sign of last respect and a moment of prayer for the departed soul is held.
Sonko said Lang’ata cemetery which is the only public cemetery in Nairobi is now almost full.
“We have got land beside the Lang’ata cemetery but we will have to wait for the National Land Commission to be reconstituted so they can guide us on the buying process,” said Sonko.
He spoke on Thursday evening when he joined worshippers at Jamia Mosque in prayer and in breaking their fast.
President Uhuru and Yemeni Prime Minister Moin Abdulmalik also attended the prayers and breaking of the fast at the mosque.
Uhuru said he will continue granting Muslims a public holiday on Idd-ul-Hajj, which he has done for the last three years.
He said though the constitution only recognizes three public holidays in Kenya, his administration has been using privileges bestowed on him as the President to declare the day a public holiday.
“However, I promise that during my time as President, you will celebrate that day as public holiday,” the president said.
He said the constitution needs minor changes so as to help Kenyans live harmoniously.
Sonko had more good news for Muslims, who will be able to park their cars for free at the Jamia Mosque parking lot during Friday prayers.
He said bars near mosques will also be forced to reduce their noise in respect for Muslim prayers.
“Either they stop noise or we cancel their licenses and we close them up,” said Sonko amid cheers from the faithful.
He said his administration wills also waive rates for madrassas and mosques in all the 17 constituencies in the county.
Most of the mosques in Nairobi have no title deeds but this will soon be a thing of the past.
“All mosques with no title deeds will have the documents processed for them free of charge,” the Governor pledged.
He called on the Muslim faithful to live in harmony with other faithfuls, a message reiterated by President Uhuru.
“We are proud of our diversity as a nation of many ethnic groups, colors and religions,” said the President.
He urged Muslims and all other Kenyans to always remember to foster peace and unity, adding that tolerance is the bedrock of harmonious coexistence.
The President assured the community that the Government will never advocate injustice against any group among Kenyans.
He said the community should work closely with the government in fighting crime and extremism.
“When we see violence, this violence is not occasioned by Muslims or Christians but by criminals. It is this criminals that we fight because they are enemies of Muslims and Christians and all other religious groups,” said the President.