Gideon mourns passing of cleric and father of Kanu official

Sheikh Mohamud Abdirahman, the father of Kanu's first vice chairman Ibrahim Sheikh /HANDOUT

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi has mourned the death of Sheikh Mohamud Abdirahman, the father of its first vice chairman Ibrahim Sheikh.

Sheikh Mohamud Abdirahman died yesterday at a Nairobi hospital. His family had planned to fly him out of the country for specialised treatment. He was buried in Isiolo in accordance with Muslim burial rites, with multitudes of people attending.

Gideon said the prominent Muslim religious scholar, born in Adhemasajida location in Wajir West subcounty had contributed immensely to the cohesion and unity of northern Kenya.

“I extend my condolences to our party’s 1st vice chairman Ibrahim Sheikh following the loss of his father, Sheikh Mohamud Sheikh Abdirahman earlier today. The late Mohamud was an honest, industrious and strict disciplinarian; values that he instilled in his children,” said Gideon in a statement shared with the media and on his social media platforms.

 “We assure the Honourable Ibrahim Sheikh of our prayers, solidarity and support during this difficult time. May Allah rest the soul of Mohamud Sheikh in eternal peace and grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss.”

The Kanu first vice-chairman is an ally of Gideon who has stood with the party throughout the years. In 2013 and 2017, he contested the Wajir West parliamentary seat and the Wajir Senate seat on the Independence party ticket. Before he rose to his current party position, he served as treasurer.

Speaking to mourners, Sheikh said their family had lost its patriarch and that the void will never be filled. “We thank all friends and people of goodwill for standing with us. I thank my party chairman, friends and relatives for showing us the love and compassion as we come to terms with the loss,” he said.