Leaders mourn Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday led the nation in mourning Garissa Senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji who passed on this Monday morning.

Senator Haji, a former long-serving Provincial administrator and the Chair of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Taskforce Yusuf Haji died on Monday morning at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.

In his condolences, President Uhuru eulogised the veteran politician, who until his death was the chairperson of the BBI Taskforce, as a dependable Kenyan leader and patriot.

"It is very unfortunate that we have lost such a dependable, solid and highly accomplished Kenyan leader.”

"Mzee Haji was a highly respected leader and elder whose wisdom, deep knowledge of the Kenyan society and long experience as a public administrator enabled him to serve the country in various leadership roles with distinction for many years," Uhuru said.

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.

"Mzee Haji was a steward of the BBI process and a strong pillar of our desire to construct a cohesive, peaceful and more progressive Kenyan nation. His stewardship of the initiative shall be missed," the President eulogised.

Deputy President William Ruto has also sent a message of condolence to the family of the late Garissa Senator describing him as a devoted and indefatigable administrator who was cause-driven.

“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 said.

According to the DP, Haji was selfless, progressive, dependable and a committed champion for a more united and inclusive Kenya.

“We will fondly remember Honourable Haji as a leader who robustly upheld and reinforced the reputation and integrity of public service,” he added.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, on the other hand, said Haji had served the public with dedication, diligence, and passion in his career.

“I have received with sadness the news of the death of Senator Yusuf Haji. Haji in his career served the public with dedication, diligence, and passion. His latest assignment as Building Bridges Initiative Chairman shows a selfless leader who cared for the unity of this country,” he said in a statement to newsrooms.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi remembered Haji’s great insight and wisdom that he displayed as they worked together as top officials in the former ruling party, KANU.

“He was not just a great friend, but also a political mentor,” he said, adding that the Senator was a distinguished political leader and quintessential public servant, who served our nation with great dedication and commitment.