Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji dies in Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya | Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji died in Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi on Monday, his family confirmed, weeks after missing from the public limelight despite being a vocal legislator. Senator Haji was aged 80 at the time of his death.

Before plunging into politics, Haji served on provincial administration, raising through ranks to become a powerful Provincial Administrator during the regime of former President Daniel Moi, who also died exactly one year ago.

Haji spent most of his life serving as a provincial administrator but would later be nominated to parliament by the KANU party and subsequently, appointed as an assistant minister in the Office of the President in 1997. In 2007, he was elected to parliament to represent the Ijara constituency.

Due to his immense knowledge on matters of security, former President Mwai Kibaki picked him as Defense Minister, a post he held for five years from 2007. In 2012, he briefly served as Acting Internal Security Minister after the death of his colleague in cabinet George Saitoti.

Perhaps Haji would be remembered as the chairman of the Building Bridges Initiative [BBI] Taskforce team that was put in place by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his political nemesis Raila Odinga after they reconciled in 2018. The task force completed its work last year and recommended changes in the constitution.

Both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga cited the enormous contributions of Senator Haji towards the Building Bridges Initiative, which would pave way for constitutional amendments. They hailed him as a statesman in their respective messages of condolences.

"In his message of condolence, the President eulogized the veteran politician, who until his death was the chairperson of the Building Bridges Initiative [BBI] Taskforce, as a dependable Kenyan leader and patriot," Uhuru said in a message sent by State House.

"The President said the death of Senator Haji was a big blow to the country especially in the BBI constitutional reform process where his leadership shall be dearly missed," the message further stated.

"In the passing of Senator Yusuf Hajji, Kenya has lost a dedicated patriot and a humble servant. We can only thank him for the years of his life that he gave in service of our country, his last great public passion being the Building Bridges Initiative. At this sad moment, we stand in prayers with his family that carries on with his passion for public service," added Raila Odinga.

Haji was serving his second term in Senate and was a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta. In 2013, he was elected through Uhuru's defunct TNA party and would secure his second term through the president's Jubilee party. He is likely to be buried today in line with the customs of Muslims.

"Innah Lillahi was Innah Ileyhi raji'un.  It is with great sadness but with acceptance of Allah's will that I have learned of the passing of our father Mzee Senator Yusuf Haji," wrote nominated Senator Abshiro Halake.

GAROWE ONLINE