Deputy President William Ruto endorsed Abdul Yusuf Haji, for Garissa Senator seat in the upcoming by-election set for Tuesday, March 16.
Haji is the son of the late Garissa County Senator Yusuf Haji, who died on February 15, after a long illness, and the brother to DPP Noordin Haji.
Ruto through his Twitter handle made a public statement supporting the Westgate hero, during a meeting with members of the Garissa County Assembly.
During the meeting held at his Karen Office, Nairobi County, the Deputy President also discussed several empowerment programs that he was planning for the Hustler Nation.
“Leaders should combine efforts and commit to confronting the challenges facing millions of households in the country. Rather than engaging in divisive politics, they should be visionary and embrace inclusive and broad-based interventions in the economy that will uplift the poor,” Ruto stated.
Several leaders such as Garissa Governor Ali Korane and former National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale had endorsed Haji to take over from his late father.
Garissa clan elders also endorsed Abdul.
"He has the support of the wider community and is expected to easily win the upcoming by-election," businessman Ahmed Mohammed stated.
Abdul first caught the public eye in 2013 during the Westgate attack, where he was part of the first responders, saving hundreds of people.
He had quickly arrived at the scene after receiving a message from his brother saying he was stuck in what seemed like a terrorist attack.
The late Haji was the chairperson of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). He had, however, intended on resigning from office and giving away his salary to needy children, something his sons vowed to follow through.
