The late Shariff Nassir was a close friend and confidant of retired President Moi, who died  on Tuesday at Nairobi Hospital.

Nassir was always at the forefront in defending Kanu and President Moi against his political detractors.

A Mombasa Kanu supremo who died in 2005, Nassir is famed for being the first politician to call for Kanu to elect Moi unopposed as the party’s presidential flag-bearer in presidential elections follwing the death of the first President Jomo Kenyatta in 1978.

Moi was the Vice President and took over the Presidency in an acting capacity after the demise of Mzee Kenyatta on August 22, 1978.

“Nassir made this bold pronouncement when tension was high in the country,” said former Kisauni MP Said Hemed.

He said while other politicians were cautious and not sure how things would unfold, Nassir took a big political risk.

Nassir, who came up with the slogan “Wapende Wasipende” (like it or not) was the longest serving Mombasa Kanu chairman and served as MP for Mvita for 24 years, assistant minister and a Cabinet minister.

His staunch support for Kanu and retired Moi made him a powerful politician in Coast region and the country at large.

During his numerous trips to Coast at the time, Moi would praise Nassir for his unwavering loyalty and exemplary leadership.

Mobilisation skills 

Through Nassir, Moi conducted several fundraisers in aid of various projects for schools, women and youth groups.

Among the projects Moi initiated were the multi-million-shilling modern New Nyali and Kilifi bridges which boosted tourism and investment in the Coast.

Nassir’s loyalty to Moi was beyond measure and the president took him as his point man in the Coast where he was known for mobilisation skills.

During the advent of multi-party politics in 1992, Nassir stood by Moi and ensured Coast region remained firmly in Kanu where the party won majority of parliamentary and civic seats.

“When several Kanu politicians ditched the party during the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) wave in 2002 General Election, Nassir remained loyal to Kanu which saw him losing his Mvita parliamentary seat,” said former Changamwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe. – KNA