Westgate hero Abdul Haji was on Saturday, March 6, endorsed for the Garissa senatorial position, which fell vacant following the death of Yusuf Haji on February 15, 2021.
Garissa clan elders endorsed Abdul, who is the son of the late senator and brother to DPP Noordin Haji, and want him to vie unopposed in the by-elections.
In an amateur video shared on social media platforms, a group of men were seen carrying Abdul in jubilation as he raised a symbolic stick.
"He has the support of the wider community and is expected to easily win the upcoming by-election," businessman Ahmed Mohammed stated.
Abdul first came to the limelight in 2013 when he saved hundreds of people during the Westgate attack.
He was among the first to arrive at the scene having received a text message from his brother saying, "I'm stuck at the Westgate. Seems like a terrorist attack. Pray for me."
Only armed with his gun, Abdul took it upon himself to save some of the victims. A photo taken by a Reuters journalist of him saving a young girl went viral and has been an image of heroism in the face of adversity.
The late Haji was also the chairperson of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) task force and had a wealth of experience in politics.
Before his death, the late Senator wanted to resign from office and forfeit his salary to the needy children, something his sons vowed they would do.
He was worried that he was consuming taxpayers' money while in hospital.
