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"id": 1047794,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13184,
"legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. A lot has been said about Sen. Haji. As I grief for Sen. Haji, I am here to honour his life. A lot has been said about his career but I want to look at his life that is rich in family, friends and accomplishments. I would like to give my condolences and those of my family and the entire people of Isiolo County to the family of Sen. Haji and directly to Mama Zainab Muumin, his wife. Also to my sisters; Muraya and her husband, Ismael; my sister, Amina Haji and her husband, Akhmed; my sister, Zaitun Haji and her husband Rtd. Lt. Col. Ali; to my brother, Noordin Haji; and my sisters, Fauzia and Aisha; my brother Abdul Haji and his wife Saadia Haji; my twin sister Zulekha – because Zulekha and I look exactly the same and, therefore, I call her my twin sister – Zahra and Rukia. As you have heard, Sen. Haji was a father of girls. Today when the Speaker was at the residence of Sen. Haji, he told of a story of when there was a Motion on rape. Sen. Haji could not hold himself and he said unspeakable words on the Floor of this House. It is because of the pain he feels and the protection of his girls. His girls are not just his biological girls; it is all of us the girls and women of this country. This is why he spoke those words. He said to “castrate” in Kiswahili and it sounded very bad. He said; “Katahayo makende.” He said that because he loves the women and girls of this country. I know a lot has been said about his security, but the humility and the love he has for the women, children and girls of this country cannot even be measured. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this loss is greatest definitely for his immediate family. This loss is greatest for his immediate family, but we want to express our profound sorrow to mama and the children because we share their grief. One thing is that we admire their courage. We are from their house today and what they are doing is accepting God’s will and are praying. You do not see them crying. In fact, at one point, I felt that I cried more than they did. It is because this is a man of God. He has taught his family and brought them up in the ways of Allah, therefore they accept His will. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you know that this Senate is his extended family. The sadness we feel is for the loss of more than a colleague and a friend. Baba mzee Haji was our father and a friend, especially for me, he looked exactly like my father. When I came to this Senate, I took pictures of my late father and I sent them to him without saying anything. He said, “ Dada, ulipata picha zangu wapi?” I am translating directly. I said, “ Baba, those are not your pictures. Those are pictures of my father.” Therefore, for me, the loss is the loss of more than a colleague, the loss of a father. He was my mentor. Mzee coached me, especially when it came to politics, he would always say: “ Hiyyo ni politics and you have a future. You can weave your ethics into the complexities of politics.” That is exactly what he has done. He would be both strong and compassionate. He showed us that Public Service is not just a job; it is labour of love and compassion. He did it with distinction. We celebrate him and his service to this country. One of the things I remember about him is that each time I felt a bit of pride I have reached; I am now a Senator, I looked at him and I realized that I was only a speck. Thank you, baba, for keeping me grounded because you kept reminding me of humility and the value of being grounded. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}