President William Ruto on Wednesday led Kenyans in mourning the death of Banissa MP Kullow Maalim Hassan who succumbed to injuries from a motorcycle accident in Nairobi’s South B estate.
The MP was buried on Wednesday at the Muslim cemetery in Lang’ata , an exercise that was preceded by Janaza prayers at Masjid Noor mosque in South C.
“I extend my condolences to the family, colleagues and friends. We have lost a dedicated public servant and a passionate advocate for the people and interests of Mandera county as a whole,” Ruto said in his condolence message.
Kullow, a former classroom teacher, died Wednesday morning at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, where he was undergoing treatment as a result of the Saturday accident near the Al-Huda mosque.
Senior government officials and his colleagues in Parliament eulogised him as a hardworking and dedicated legislator.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the people of Banissa has lost a dedicated, conciliatory, affable and confrontational servant-leader, with high reverence for God and prayerfulness.
“Indeed, at the time of the occurrence of the accident that resulted in his timely death, the Late Hon Kulow Maalim Hassan was headed to the mosque to say prayers,” Wetang’ula said.
The Speaker also constituted a an ad hoc funeral committee led by Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullahi to liaise with the bereaved family and coordinate support from the National Assembly.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in mourning the fallen legislator described him as a pillar in the leadership of the North Eastern Province.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have woken up to the sad news of the sudden demise of my brother and colleague Hon Kulow Maalim Hassan; MP, Banissa constituency, a brother in faith and comrade in the North Eastern Province (NEP) leadership,” he said.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan remembered Kullow as a devoted public servant who discharged his duties with honour.
"I share my deepest condolences with the family, friends and people of Banissa following this unfortunate loss and pray that Allah (SWT) will grant them sabr and comfort during this lowest moment. May Allah grant his soul Jannatul Firdaws. Amiin Amiin," Keynan said in a tribute.
The Eldas MO said Kullow was a great leader who will be remembered for his transformative leadership.
Kullow, who was elected on a UDM ticket, was a member of, among others, the Public Accounts Committee.
He was first elected into Parliament in 2017, and was serving his second term as a legislator.
PAC chairman John Mbadi described the the legislator as a dedicated member who never missed a single sitting of the committee’s meetings.
“He was a very dedicated member and he never missed a single committee meeting. We have lost a dedicated lawmaker as a committee and Parliament as a whole,” Mbadi said.
Kullow was also a member of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
He had a Masters of Science in Development Studies and bachelor's degree in Education – both from Kenyatta University.
He also had a Diploma in Education from Siriba Teachers' College.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
