At the time of his death, late Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji was an accomplished elder in his county. He is glorified over his intervention to push back Al-Shabaab insurgency from Kenya’s North-Eastern counties. – By Gerald Gekara.
However his untimely death and succession has brought to light Kenya’s long history of holding politics within families.
On 9th March 2021, elders from Garissa county called a meeting to discuss the leadership of the county.
The ‘wise men’ saw it fit to hand their support to Yusuf Haj’s son Abdul to run unopposed in the sparsely developed county.
Abdul Haji is famous for his heroic stunt, arming himself to the Westgate shopping center in Nairobi on Saturday, determined to help his brother and anyone else he could find.
In light of this, Kenyans have expressed their dissatisfaction in the leaders’ decisions, terming it as unfair and could potentially lock out well meaning Kenyans.
“If the clans from Garissa have agreed to endorse Abdul Haji as the next senator, then negotiated democracy [consociationalism] is real.” – Makori.
“Duale who is a vocal leader of the TangaTanga brigade has times without number spoke about the dynasties ruling at the expense of we the poor. Yesterday, he boldy endorsed Abdul Haji a son of a regional dynasty in full glare of HUSTLERS. Iko shida KE!” – Denis Mutinda said.
Others castigated a form of double standard at those endorsing the move.
“People endorsing Abdul Haji to run unopposed in Garisa senatorial by-election but have a problem with Uhuru endorsing his preferred heir. Men of double standards. Kenya is not a mornachy. Give everyone equal chance.” said one Gitonga.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen endorsed Abdul Haji, urging residents to vote in more youthful leaders.
“I officially welcome Abdul Haji to the Senate as the 2nd Senator of Garissa under the 2010 Constitution. I believe his youthful energy and courage will add a lot of value to the institution of the Senate. Looking forward to working with him in the remaining 17 months.” Murkomen said.
Eldas MP Aden Keynan said that the best honor they can give to the late senator was electing his son to complete the term
“What we are doing as leaders together with our elders in fronting Haji’s son and urging the residents to support is not new. It has happened before and will happen again. After all, he is a capable son to take over the mantle,” Keynan said.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission-IEBC has scheduled the by-election for May 18.
