Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala’s elder brother laid to rest

Tobby Otum

Thousands of friends and relatives thronged the famous Kikowani Muslims cemetery to attend the burial of former Assistant Minister Sheikh Salim who was elder brother to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

A sombre mood engulfed the burial of the late Salim who was also the father to Mombasa County Executive in charge of transport Taufiq Balala.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s message of condolence was delivered by Coast Regional Commissioner (RC) John Elungata who was accompanied by Mombasa county commissioner John Otieno.

Those who attended the burial were former Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho, Kaloleni MP elect Paul Kahindi Katana and Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd. Chairman/Co-CEO Mohamed Jaffer among others.

Najib confirmed his over 80 years old brother died after a long battle with a painful illness.

The CS said his elder brother was a nominated member of parliament and served as an assistant minister of planning during late Jomo Kenyatta’s regime.

The deceased was board chairman of the Kenya National Assurance after being in government for a time.

He described the deceased as a fighter for the coastal region and was among the first persons to serve in the cabinet.

“The deceased has been ill for the last 15 years and suffered much pain,” he pointed out.

The CS told journalists he was too young when his elder brother was in active politics adding that he was born in 1967 while he left active politics in 1974.

Najib said he joined active politics in 2002 and learned from him and he was a source of inspiration.