The jewel of politics and voice of reason in Senate

Building Bridges Initiative task force chairman Yusuf Haji, during public participation at KICC, Nairobi in 2019. [File, Standard]

Yusuf Haji has been described as a disciplinarian, go-getter and a career civil servant who served the country with dedication and honour.

A father figure, and mentor to many, Haji, who was until his death the Garissa Senator, was a soft-spoken but firm, no-nonsense peace champion who had a sense of humour in discharging his legislative agenda.

His wise counsel and mastery of the political landscape was informed by his many years' service in the Provincial Administration, transcending successive regimes.

Whenever he spoke in the Senate, his colleagues listened in silence. He never had altercations with colleagues, even during charged debates, where he would emerge as one of the voices of reason.

Haji, who was the Senate chair on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, followed the rule of secrecy and his committee sittings were closed-door, which he attributed to the sensitive nature of matters discussed therein.

He was knowledgeable on matters of State governance and pushed for timely security interventions countrywide as demonstrated in his stand on the inquiry on Solai Dam tragedy and the standoff on the third generation revenue sharing formula, where his county was set to lose Sh900 million but ended up getting Sh1.8 billion.

Revenue formula

“This is the first time for me to talk about the issue of the revenue formula, which has been going on for the past month. The only time I spoke about it is when we held a Press conference at the gate of the Senate,” Haji told the House in his last contribution on September 17, 2020.

“At that time, I said that while it is quite in order for people to be given more money because they have to give more services, at the same time, there is nowhere in the Bible or the Quran where it is stated that you should take away from the poor. This has been proven by the fact that our 12-member committee has tirelessly worked and met more than 17 times for this to be achieved.”

His colleagues in the Senate yesterday paid glowing tribute to the soft-spoken member.

Senate Minority Leader Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni) affirmed Haji’s stand on the revenue formula.

“The end of a stoic gentleman. In his last engagement at the Senate, he said a firm NO to one-man, one-shilling formula, had a story to tell when someone messed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report and had kind words for the arrest of three senators. Go well Mzee,” said Kilonzo Jnr, who was part of the group of senators christened “team Kenya” that pushed for equity in sharing of cash among counties.

Passionately engaged

Haji passionately engaged in the revenue formula debate, at a time he was yet to release the BBI taskforce report that led to the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020 push.

“I have been away for the last year on the business of the BBI. I thank Senator Iman Falhada, who stood in for me while I was away. I want to appeal to the people of Garissa, that come to next General Election, she should be given the vote for Women Representative,” Haji rallied support for the nominated senator, demonstrating his fatherly and leadership attributes.

The Garissa Senator steered the BBI process for one year. When he resumed his parliamentary duties last year he received accolades alongside Busia Senator Amos Wako, but he could not betray President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s trust to give his colleagues a glimpse of what was contained in the document.

He told his colleagues that the document would be made public by the sponsors - Uhuru and Raila.

Speakers Ken Lusaka (Senate) and Justin Muturi (National Assembly) yesterday led MPs in mourning the senator, who they eulogised as a great peace advocate and negotiator.

“I fondly remember Haji’s great insight and wisdom displayed when we worked closely as top officials in the former ruling party, Kanu. He was not just a friend, but also a political mentor,” said Mr Muturi.

Mr Lusaka said: “A no-nonsense administrator during is heydays, I was privileged to serve as a District Officer when he was Provincial Commissioner. He successfully transitioned from public service to politics, and inspired many people.”

Lusaka eulogised Haji as fiercely independent-minded, dependable elder and a voice of reason in the Senate. In the House, Haji supported the government whenever a Motion was tabled.

- Additional reporting by Grace Ng’ang’a