In the left corner of that iconic image from the 2013 Westgate Mall attack, the man in a checkered white and black shirt and washed-out blue jeans leans forward slightly, his right hand outstretched.
To the right of the photo, a child in a red jacket over a spotted blue tunic and black trousers runs towards the man, her left leg caught mid-air. A full shopping trolley lies to her right, abandoned, and someone cowers between what looks like fridges further behind the girl.
That man was Garissa Senator-elect Abdulkadir Mohamed Haji. The girl had been shopping with her mother when al Shabaab militants attacked. Sixty-seven people lost their lives.
Abdulkadir, a licensed gun owner, was among the first responders to the attack and joined the police to secure as many people as he could on that day of terror.
Unknown to many, it was also a personal battle for Abdul as his brother Noordin Haji, now the Director of Public Prosecutions, was holed up in the besieged mall.
After giving a few media interviews following the attack, Abdul disappeared from the public eye. He's back in the national limelight a people's representative.
The businessman grew up shooting at the Athi River range but perfected the skill during hunting escapades with his father.
He would often accompany his father deep into the woodlands where they set camp for days.
“We would hunt for birds mostly and it was then that my father gave me priceless lessons that guide how I live,” he told the Star.
“As I aimed, before shooting, he loved to remind me to stay calm and focus. ‘Calmness is what will see you through the chaos in life’,” he said. He took those lessons to heart.
Abdul had never thought of joining politics but his life seems to have been a preparation for a future role serving the people. He took over his father's seat after the former senator and long-serving civil servant died in February.
The 46-year-old will be sworn in on Tuesday after being elected unopposed on April 6.
Manning his father's political campaigns and building and running a successful business all shaped Abdul for his current role.
“I take this as an opportunity from God to continue my father’s legacy and serve the people of Garissa. I intend to do it diligently and passionately,” he said.
Abdul can pass for a man in his early thirties because of his youthful appearance. He was born in Nyandarua county to a teacher mother.
The senator-elect fondly recalled the memories of the close shaves he had with his father during their hunting trips.
“Sometimes we had dangerous encounters in the bushes; you know the place had no toilets. We always recalled how we handled such moments with so much laughter. I must have been 16 years then,” he said.
While in the woodlands, Haji said his father would wake them up at 5.30am for morning prayers before they read verses from the Quran as they waited for sunrise.
“We would then prepare breakfast, then leave for the hunt.”
The nature of his father's job meant Abdul was constantly on the move. He attended eight different primary schools before he sat for the national exams.
Being the new pupil in school almost every year, Abdul said he was always a target of bullies and was sometimes forced to use his fist to gain respect.
“I was always the new kid and boys did not let the opportunity to bully a new student pass. Having moved from school to school, I had to learn to stand up for myself. Sometimes it came to fists, other times, it was a general confrontation,” he said.
His father, Abdul said, was strict and very firm. What scared him though was the silent treatment he gave them when angry.
“My father did not beat us, he did not need to anyway as his eyes spoke for him. He had a piercing glare that would send you to behave without uttering a word,” he said.
“What killed me though was his silent treatment when extremely angry. Then, I wished he could beat me instead.”
Abdul will serve as Garrisa’s senator for a year and six months to complete his late father’s tenure.
“My late father always reminded us that public service required integrity. While taking these opportunities, you have to do it with the highest honour, integrity and high fidelity to the law,” Abdul said.
“I believe these are some of the principles that will guide me as I come into the public life as a public servant.”
He said he is honoured and humbled by the support he has received from leaders of not only Garissa county but both political leaders, elders, women and youths.
“My father was a loving individual but also a very tough man. The kind of love he gave us was what we refer to as tough love.”
“His way of bringing us up as family is what has shaped us as individuals today.”
(edited by o. owino)
