Abdulkadir Haji has been sworn in as the new Senator for Garissa County.
He takes over from his father Yusuf Haji who died on February 15, 2021.
Several leaders among them Garissa Governor Ali Korane and former National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale attended the ceremony, collectively endorsing the late Senator’s son.
” Others who also want this seat is our children, we will talk to them to make sure that that our son is elected unopposed,” Governor Korane said.
“Wale wengine ambao pia wanataka hii kiti ni watoto wetu…tutazungumza nao tuone ya kwamba huyu kijana wetu ameingia kwa hiyo kiti unopposed.”
And Duale added: “In memory of our leader, our great son, in memory of a man who served this country, we have unanimously agreed (to endorse his son).”
Community leaders, elders and professionals from Garissa County had endorsed Abdulkadir for the Senator position as a show of honour and respect to his late father.
He was endorsed by two major clan of Abduwak and Aulihan, a day after his father’s clan of Abdalla endorsed him.
Following the endorsement, Abdulkadir was to vie for the Garissa Senate seat under a Jubilee ticket.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissions scheduled the by-election for May 18.
In a Gazette notice on April 6,2021, the IEBC made a declaration of no contest.
“…and declares the person listed in the 1st and 2nd Column to the Schedule duly elected as the Senator, Garissa County,” Chairman Wafula Chebukati said.