Days after being announced by the IEBC as the new Garissa Senator having run unopposed, Abdulkadir Haji has spoken for the first time on his new position especially on his relationship with his elder brother DPP Noordin Haji.
In an interview on April 8, Haji who is is more famously known for his heroic role in the Westgate Terror Attacks in 2013, stated that he would learn how to navigate the senate while upholding high ethics to avoid getting in trouble.
The Senate has supervisory powers on the office of the DPP while the top prosecutor has powers to investigate and prosecute legislators caught up in criminal behaviour.
Abdul, however, says he does not see a conflict of interest arising between the two offices.
"I intend to uphold high ethic levels while in office and my brother's position as DPP will not influence my ethics moving forward," he divulged.
The new senator also admitted that he was under a lot of pressure to deliver for the people of Garissa.
"There's a lot of pressure, the burden bestowed on my shoulder is not easy. Many people expect me to walk in my father's footsteps and I intend to uphold the integrity of the office," he stated.
Abdul revealed that he did not harbor any political ambitions before his election as senator.
"I had accompanied my father during the elections and I never envied that campaigning life," he stated.
Haji further addressed his nomination stating that what granted him a direct seat was negotiated democracy where elders persuaded everyone to shelve their political ambitions.
He refuted claims that members of his family lobbied for him to be elected unopposed as he thanked the Jubilee party for their unwavering support.
Haji was on Saturday, March 6, endorsed for the Garissa senatorial position, which fell vacant following the death of his father Yusuf Haji on February 15, 2021.
Garissa clan elders endorsed Abdul and fronted him to vie unopposed in the by-elections.
Abdul first came to the limelight in 2013 when he saved hundreds of people during the Westgate attack.
The younger Haji had gone to rescue his elder brother Noordin, who had been caught up inside Westage but was able to escape.
Abdul, only armed with his gun, was able to save many other victims including children. 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.
