Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji is dead.
Senator Haji died on Monday morning at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi where he was receiving treatment for an illness that his family is yet to disclose.
He died aged 80.
In his message of condolence, President Uhuru Kenyatta termed Haji’s death as a big blow to the country.
“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,” State House Kenya tweeted.
Deputy President William Ruto eulogized him as a dependable leader who was a great mediator in the political scene.
“The country has lost a devoted and indefatigable administrator who was cause-driven. Senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji was a gifted politician, modest yet strategic schemer with ground-breaking mediation skills,” Ruto tweeted.
Since 2018, he has been a crucial in Kenyan politics having chaired the Building Bridges Taskforce which is at the centre of Kenyan politics at the moment.
The deceased was serving his second term as the Garissa Senator. He was re-elected in 2017.
Prior to his serving as a Senator, he served as Ijara MP for two terms, between 2002 and 2007. He was then elected the county’s senator under the dispensation of the 2010 Constitution that initiated devolution.
Senator Haji had a long and chequered career in public administration. He started off in the 1960 as a District Officer.
Ten years later, he shot to the top in provincial administration to become a Provincial Commissioner in 1970.
He served in this position in 1997 before throwing his hat into politics in 1998 when he earned a set in Parliament as a nominated MP.
In 2002 elections, he was elected Ijara MP unopposed.
He has served as an Assistant Minister through his political career in including the Minister for Defence between 2007-2013.
