Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Sunday, February 2, 2025, was thrown into mourning following the death of Abdi Rahim Farah Jaari, Chairman of the Garissa Farmers Network.

The Garissa Farmers Network is a non-profit organization in Garissa County, Kenya, that brings together farmers in agribusiness. The network was founded in January 2022. It provides training and support to farmers to improve their livelihoods.

In a statement, Duale announced that Abdi Rahim passed on at night. He however did not immediately reveal the cause of his untimely death.

“I join the Garissa community in mourning the passing of our dear brother, Abdi Rahim Farah Jaari, a respected elder, dedicated professional and Chairman of the Garissa Farmers Network. His untimely departure last night is a profound loss to all who knew him,” Duale announced.

Their last meeting

According to Duale, Abdi Rahim’s death came hours after they attended a critical stakeholder meeting together. Duale who served as Defence CS before being moved to Environment narrated spending time with the deceased on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

Duale recalled their meeting with farmers and officials in Garissa throughout the day where he showed his passion for agriculture and commitment to the people.

However, at night he received news that Abdi Rahim was no more.

In his eulogy, he described the deceased as a dedicated servant who helped farmers in the Garissa region. Duale also highlighted his role in fostering peaceful coexistence in the vast northeastern region.

“Just yesterday, we stood together in Garissa, engaging with farmers along the Tana River Basin during KEFRI’s support initiative. His passion for agriculture and commitment to his people were evident in every step he took,” Duale wrote in his statement on X.

“O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, and give him strength and pardon him. Be generous to him, and enlarge his entrance (to his abode), and wash him with water and snow and hail. Cleanse him of his transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains. Give him an abode better than his home, and a family better than his family, and a wife better than his wife. Take him into Paradise, and protect him from the punishment of the grave [and from the punishment of Hell-fire]. (Muslim 3-598],” the Environment Cabinet Secretary added.

Nominated MP Umulkher Harun also mourned Rahim describing him as a pillar of unity in the region.

“He was very passionate about agriculture and was a key pillar in the farmers’ network,” part of her statement read in part.

Innalilahi waina ilahim raajuun. May Allah grant our brother Abdi Farah the highest ranks of Janah.

He was very passionate about agriculture and was a key pillar in the farmers network .
Very saddening news. Let’s keep him in our duas. pic.twitter.com/iqLMOsGl2J

— Umulkher Harun (Umi) -MP (@missyHaroona) February 2, 2025