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From the Diaspora Desk
A Short Biography of MZEE HAJI ISSA YUSSUF (Among the first Hartis to step in NFD)
The late Mzee Haji Issa Yussuf was born around 1910. He started his own business in 1930 when he settled in Wajir where he constructed his own business premises after relocating from kismayu jubbaland and later followed by mzee Ali mussa, Mzee Abdullahi mussa, Rer lord family, Mzee Shire, mzee Ali Hassan, mzee Ali elmi, mzee Qassim aganje, mzee Ismail Haji, Mzee Rashid gulled, Mzee Yussuf farah, Rer Taqtar family, mzee Abdirahman mutua, Rer Ali sigara etc.
All their children and their grand grand children were born and bred in Wajeer. These were our great HARTI family who blended with wajerians and became one great family called rer wajeer. Some moved to Garissa,(cana nuug), some to mandera mzee Ali nafyar and mzee jabane, some to isiolo (Rer sangal) and wakina Chui, Simba gulled (former deputy gov isiolo). while others rer lord, rer jamac and ohan transporters famiy to Nairobi, mombasa, daresalam, zambia and beyond.
Mzee Haji issa married Mama Fatuma Simsim in 1933, She gave birth to the late Hawa, Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Fite and Abdirahman kikuyu.
In 1946, he married Mama Halima Mohamed Taqtar who gave birth to the late Omar, Tusmo and Mohamud Langare. She died after delivering Langare in 1951.
After her death he married her sister Mama Khadija Mohamed Taqtar. She gave birth to 5 boys, the late Bashir, Yassin, Rashid, Abdiladif alias Jomo and the late Yussuf. Three girls, Zahra, the late Halima and last born of Mama khadija, Fardosa haji issa (my classmate in township primary) who now lives in london UK.
Beside their big famous wholesale shop in CBD and other major government supplies and contracts, they also had a family shop in their main family plot called park road shop opposite baraza park next to the Habani family.
He also married mama Khatra who gave birth to 4 boys and 3 girls. Among her kids my good friend Abdihakim who lives in UK, Raahow and Abdiwahab in canada also her daughter former DO then DC in down kenya and later kenyan consulate to the Hague netherlands sister Amran haji issa whom i met in UK years back when she visited her mum.
Amran’s maternal sister Amina shire was once married by mzee Ali abor and had a beautiful daughter together called Yasmin who also lives in UK. These (bah) family were original eastleigh born and bred(section one) Muyuyu avenue area. I used to visit them during my days in Nairobi and met them later again when they moved to south london UK. Great humble family, Allah yarham mama khatra Haji who was warsangeli was a wonderful mum and so was our Wajeer mum mama khadija m.Taqtar(jomo & fardosa’s mum). These were the only two mums i met.
The late Haji issa became a Government contractor supplying ration and other commodities to the police, prison, A.P and was the first man to supply food to the first ever boarding primary in the entire NFD region (wajir primary school). He was very generous to the extent of giving food to the poor and vulnerable everyday. He raised many orphans.
He mentored many prominent people and some were brought up in his house. He was also known to contribute to the mosques and help the needy. He played a big role in seeking land for masjid jamaca in wajir near township.
His best friends were mzee Suldan Abdi ogle, Mzee inspector Mohamed khalif, Mzee adan jiran (Ebs), Mzee Suldan Abdi Ali hirsi, Imam sheikh Mohamed shukri, Mzee Abdiaziz sh kassim(my uncle), Mzee SOB Galti basabra, mzee Haji Ibrahim, mzee Suldan Ahmed Liban, mzee Ismail haji, sheikh Mohamed hadi, mzee Mohamed Haji Abdi, mzee Unshur Mohamed, mzee ibrahim seer, mzee Haji Hassan bulle, Mzee Muhumad yarrow, mzee Ali bashir(dad), mzee chief Aress, mzee chief ibrahim complain, Mzee chief adan affey, mzee senator omar Abdi abdullahi, mzee Sheikh Farah, mzee Haji Dahiye Bardad(former first lady mama kheira’s uncle) and many others.
He was one time invited to attend the party of the outgoing D.C Waweru. He was invited to speak on behalf of the business fraternity. His famous quote was “Kamau naenda Njoroge nakuja sawasawa tu Axsanta” When wazees later asked him what he meant by his quote..he told them “iyaga umbaa kursiga isku badalaaya”
He died on 16th February 1980 after a short illness. Mzee Haji issa was A majeerten(osman mohamud) and remains in the famous wall of wajir prominent people.
Allah yarham and all the wazees mentioned too.
