[Garissa Senator Yussuf Haji. He says he is still young and has many more years to serve Kenyans.] (softkenya.com)A senator has told off his political rivals over their calls that he retires in politics because of his advanced age.
Senator Yussuf Haji dismissed the calls saying he was still fit to serve Garissa County at the Senate.
Haji, 77, served for a long time in the provincial administration before joining politics where he represented Ijara constituency in Parliament as MP for three terms.
“In Somali, we have a proverb that says a homestead that does not have an elder with grey hair should get one, even if it means buying. Old age is not a disability or disease,” Haji said.
He spoke while addressing journalists in his office after meeting alders from Governor Nathif Jama’s Aulian clan and women from the Samawadhal clan.
Haji said he was happy with the support he had received from different people in Garissa expressing optimism that he will successfully defend his seat.
He defended himself against claims that he failed in playing his oversight role by fighting alleged corruption in Jama’s government.
“Those accusing me, including my opponents, should direct their grievances elsewhere,” he said.
He said under his leadership, he had helped push for the disbursement of Sh30 billion to the county for development.
Haji said he had tried on several occasions to talk to Jama over the alleged misuse of county funds but the county chief paid a deaf ear.
“I have also written countless letters to the governor to point out what I thought was mismanagement of county resources,” he said.
“I have tried my best to reconcile the governor and the county MPs more than five times to create harmony. I wonder what people mean when they say I did not play my oversight role correctly.”