NAIROBI, Kenya, May 6 — KANU Chairman Gideon Moi has led tributes following the death of Sheikh Mohamud Abdirahman, a respected Muslim cleric and father of the party’s First Vice Chairman Ibrahim Sheikh.
Sheikh Mohamud died on Tuesday at a Nairobi hospital while arrangements were underway to fly him abroad for specialized treatment.
He was later buried in Isiolo in accordance with Muslim burial rites, with large crowds attending the funeral.
In a condolence message shared with the media and on social media platforms, Moi described the late cleric as a man whose influence extended beyond his family and community, particularly in promoting unity and cohesion across northern Kenya.
“I extend my condolences to our party’s 1st Vice Chairman Ibrahim Sheikh following the loss of his father, Mr Sheikh Mohamud Sheikh Abdirahman earlier today. The late Mohamud was an honest, industrious and strict disciplinarian; values that he instilled in his children,” Moi said.
He added that the party stood in solidarity with Ibrahim Sheikh and his family during the difficult period.
“We assure the Honourable Ibrahim Sheikh of our prayers, solidarity and support during this difficult time. May Allah rest the soul of Mr Mohamud Sheikh in eternal peace and grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss,” he said.
Born in Adhemasajida location in Wajir West Sub-county, Sheikh Mohamud was widely regarded as a prominent religious scholar whose teachings and counsel contributed significantly to peace and social harmony in the region.
Ibrahim Sheikh, a close ally of Moi and a longtime KANU official, has remained one of the party’s key figures over the years.
He previously contested the Wajir West parliamentary seat in 2013 and the Wajir Senate seat in 2017 on the KANU ticket.
Before rising to the position of First Vice Chairman, he served as the party’s treasurer.
Addressing mourners during the burial, Ibrahim Sheikh described his father as the family’s pillar and thanked supporters for standing with them in mourning.
“Our family has lost its patriarch, and the void he leaves behind can 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 love and compassion as we come to terms with this loss,” he said.
