Feb, 15th 2021 – The late Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji has been buried at the Langata cemetery in Nairobi. The burial was attended by a number of political leaders and government officials, including President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The body of the late Senator was earlier transported to the Masjid Noor Mosque in South C, Nairobi, where prayers were held.
Haji, who most recently chaired the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) task force had been sick for a while. He was flown to Turkey for treatment late last year and returned to the country just recently.
He passed on this Morning at the Aga Khan Hospital. A member of the family confirmed saying that Haji had suffered multiple organ failures leading to his death. “Mzee has rested, he passed on this morning at the Aga Khan Hospital,” said the family member.
Haji served as the minister of defense in 2007 and the minister of internal security in 2012. He briefly served as the acting Minister of Internal Security and Provincial Affairs in Mwai Kibaki’s administration. To his death, he has served in the Senate since 2013 representing Garissa County.
Haji served in various areas including the Rift Valley region between 1970 and 1998. He was known as a peace maker working on reconciliation between warring clans. In 2014, he oversaw the signing of the peace treaty between communities in Wajir and Mandera to end their clashes.
In the presence of National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Francis ole Kaparo and Haji, the agreement was signed by Garre and Degodia communities.
President Uhuru Kenyatta mourned him as a dependable, trusted, and patriotic Kenyan. He added that Haji was a highly respected leader and elder whose wisdom and knowledge of the Kenyan society and experience as a public administrator enabled him to serve the country in various leadership roles.
President Kenyatta also added that the death of senator Haji was a big blow to the country and especially to the BBI constitutional reform process where his leadership will be missed.
ODM leader Raila Odinga on his part said that with the passing of senator Haji, Kenya has lost a patriot and humble servant. He expressed his condolences adding that he stands in prayer with the Family.
Haji died at the age of 80-years at the Aga Khan Hospital earlier today.