President Uhuru leads nation in mourning CS Amina’s husband Khalid Hossein Ahmed
Mercy Mwai and Mutuku Mwangangi
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday led the nation in mourning Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed’s husband Khalid Hossein Ahmed.
Uhuru joined other leaders among them, Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, CSs, MPs, and other politicians in condoling with the family, friends and relatives of Mohammed
According to Mohammed’s family, Ahmed who was buried yesterday in line with Muslim traditions at his private home in Maanzoni, Machakos County died at 5 am at Karen Hospital, Nairobi after a short illness.
The burial, which was a private ceremony, was only attended by Amina’s cabinet colleagues including Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I, Joe Mucheru (ICT), Raphael Tuju (CS without portfolio), Charles Keter ( Energy), Peter Munya (Agriculture) , John Munyes (Mining), Margret Kobia and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua as well as a host of politicians, family members and Muslim faithful.
Others who were present include Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua , Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
Strong pillar
Khalid, a father of two, was largely off public life as he is said to have committed his time to his family and businesses.
This is the second time Amina is losing a close family member after losing his brother Esmael Mohammed Jibril, in March this year.
And yesterday, in his message of condolence to the family, the President mourned Ahmed as a gentleman and a strong pillar of his family.
“I have received the disheartening news of the passing away of Ahmed with great sadness. Ahmed was a great person and a gentleman.
I pray that God, grants you the fortitude and grace to go through this difficult period of mourning ” the President condoled with CS Mohamed.
During the burial, Matiang’i who read Uhuru’s message to the family described the death of Ahmed as a “shocker”.
“We are shocked and helpless because none of us was expecting we will be doing what we are doing here today.
It is extremely sad and there is nothing we can do in this helplessness other than holding you up and praying for the family,” said Matiang’i.
Earlier in his condolence message, Ruto described Ahmed as a gifted businessman who was devoted to uplifting the lives of people through social responsibility initiatives.
“We pray to God that He grants comfort to the family and their loved ones during this sorrowful time,” said Ruto. Raila described Ahmed loss as a blow to the country.
“May God the Almighty grant you and your family fortitude to bear the loss. Poleni sana. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” read his message.
Kalonzo said he would remember Ahmed as an entrepreneur par excellence.
