SENATOR WANTED TO RESIGN AND GIVE UP HIS SALARY

The family of Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji (pictured) who passed away on Monday has said it will contribute the equivalent of his six-month’s salary to vulnerable children in the county.

In an emotional prayer meeting held in Garissa yesterday, a grieving Director of public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji and his brother Abdul Haji recalled their last moments with their father whom they said had wanted to quit his senatorial position.

The children said that before the ailing senator slipped into unconsciousness, he regretted that he was earning a salary that he was not working for. “He wanted us to call the Senate Speaker to resign because he said it was haraam to draw a salary while he was unable to work for the people of Garissa,” said Abdul.

Abdul is a businessman who is best remembered for his remarkable bravery during the Westgate shopping centre terror attack where he saved lives by leading shoppers to safety.

Noordin and Abdul said the funds will be managed by former Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abass Guled to ensure equitable distribution across the six sub-counties.

The two brothers, who were speaking publicly for the first time since their father’s death, said they kept assuring him that he would be fine and would soon be back to work. They said he also wanted to be recorded asking for forgiveness from Kenyans.

The DPP said they will go around the sub-counties to ask for forgiveness on his behalf. He added that they will fulfill their father’s promise to construct a rehabilitation centre in Garissa town.

By The Standard