The Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala is mourning the death of his elder brother Sheikh Salim Mohamed Abdallah Balala.
In a statement issued by Najib, Salim, a well-known politician under Jomo Kenyatta’s regime, passed suddenly on the morning of September 1st.
The late Sheikh Salim left behind seven children, among them Salaah Balala, Abdallah Balala, Taufiq Balala and Mohammed Balala.
![Sheikh Salim Mohamed Abdallah Balala with the late President Jomo Kenyatta. [File: PHOTO]](https://news.switchtv.ke/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/VpSk9kpTURBXy8yYzg1MjZlMTE4YzFjYzM2MDFjNDZjMzgzMDIwNWQ3NC5qcGeRlQLNAcnNAdfCw4GhMAU.webp)
“It is with great sadness to announce the death of my eldest brother, Sheikh Salim Mohamed Abdallah Balala. The late Sheikh Salim is father to Salaah Balala, Abdallah Balala, Taufiq Balala, Mohammed Balala and 3 daughters.
“He is also brother to Hussein Balala (deceased), Talal Balala, Jalal Balala, Abdulnasser Balala, myself, and our 3 sisters,” stated Balala.
Holding dual citizenship of both Yemeni and Kenya, Salim played a critical role in Kenyan politics from the 1950s to the 1960
The politician was viciferous at the time in opposition to a request for the Coast region to remain an autonomous territory known as Mwambao.
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As the nation battled for independence in the 1950s, he ultimately galvanized Yemeni Arabs to support the Kenya African National Union (KANU).
From 1966 to 1974, he was a member of parliament and the assistant minister for finance and planning.
“My own brother was born in Yemen but became a minister in this government in the 1960s. Today, I’m a minister in the same government and we are part of this society,” Balala praised Salim during a meeting with Yemen Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed’s visit to Nairobi in 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta eulogized Salim as a remarkable leader with a distinct vision for the expansion and advancement of the nation.
“In this hour of great sorrow and grief, I convey my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends. As we mourn and pay homage to this visionary leader, let us also celebrate his life and achievements,” stated the Head of State.
The deceased’s son, Taufiq Balala, reported that his father had been ill for some time and required blood transfusions before he was pronounced dead.
Funeral prayers will be held at Shibu Mosque in Mwembe Tayari, Mombasa,on September 1, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at Kikowani Muslim cemetery.
