The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji broke down and cried while mourning his father, Senator Mohammed Yufu Haji, at a prayer and elders' meeting in Garissa County, on Friday, February 19.
Noordin was overwhelmed by grief as he recalled the late Senator's last moments and his dying wishes. The senior Haji had wanted his sons to thank the Garissa elders who supported his election bid and stood with him throughout his ailment before he passed away on Monday, February 15, at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.
DPP took a one minute silence after he was overtaken by emotions, bowed his head and shed tears while eulogising his late father.
"I want to thank everyone who stood with us. The President called us every week to monitor mzee's situation and even came to bury my father. Kindly accord him all the respect he deserves.
"The family of Treasury CS and other elders also supported us," Noordin appreciated after he had recited an Islamic prayer and also recalled how his father called him to his deathbed to acknowledge those who took care of him.
Noordin and his brother, Abdul Haji further disclosed that the late Senator wanted to resign from office and forfeit his salary.
The brothers disclosed that Haji claimed that he was incapacitated and could not represent the people of Garissa anymore. The former Cabinet Minister was worried that he was earning taxpayers money despite being hospitalised.
"He wanted us to call the Senate Speaker, Ken Lusaka, to resign because he said it was haraam to draw a salary while he was unable to work for the people of Garissa," Abdul said.
Noordin added that the family had agreed to raise an equivalent of their father's six-months salary, which will be donated to needy children in Garissa County.
Haji said that the funds will be managed by former Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet.
The brothers added that they assured their father that the donations will be managed well and that the family will stay united long after he is gone. Abdul said that Haji was concerned that his children would not go back to work as they were depressed by his illness.
However, they managed to convince him that they would be fine and would not only return to work but also travel across the county to seek forgiveness on his behalf.
They would also ensure that some of his projects are completed in time, including building a rehabilitation centre to assist addicts and other victims in society.
Haji fell ill in September 2020 and underwent a four-hour surgery at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi. Reports said that he slipped and dislocated his hip at his home in Garissa.
He was buried at the Langata Cemetery, Nairobi on Monday, February 15, 2021. President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga attended the burial ceremony.
The 80-year-old celebrated public servant left eight children including the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji and Abdul Haji, a businessman famously known for his heroic actions during the Westgate terror attack.
Watch Haji eulogise his father, the late Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/DqO7wNqFP9Q.jpg?itok=ylgz2Orq","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
