Yusuf Hassan Abdi (Somali: Yuusuf Xasan Cabdi, Arabic: يوسف حسن عبدي) (born March 9, 1953) is a Kenyan politician, diplomat, social activist and former journalist.

He later obtained a Master of Arts degree (MA) in international relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.

[5] Because of his leading role with the association in exposing human rights abuses committed by the Kenyan government against local residents, his passport was revoked and his father was arrested.

[3] In 1990, Hassan steered a group of consultants tasked with assisting the government of Namibia in transitioning its National Radio and Television into a viable public broadcaster.

He was the media organization's inaugural Director of Operations, and participated in the tabling of the country's first post-independence communications bill and information policy paper.

He was thereafter assigned to a number of different diplomatic posts around the world,[2] acting as the Senior External Media Relations and Public Information Officer for the Southern SADC Region.

[4] Prompted by requests from the Somali business community in Eastleigh to run for office, Hassan stepped down from his post with the UN in 2007 to present himself as a candidate in that year's Kamukunji by-election.

Initially running on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, he reportedly won the seat until party leaders later reversed the decision and awarded the position to a rival challenger.

He obtained 19,030 votes, securing the win in an election marked by low voter turnout and party clashes, but otherwise described as free and fair.

The ensuing conference was reportedly attended by many members of the Somali community, who greeted Hassan warmly and pledged to support his campaign.

[3] On December 7, 2012, Hassan was wounded in a night-time grenade attack in Eastleigh, while he was convening with his constituents after prayers at the Hidaya Mosque.

[10] According to the media outlet, Abdi was chosen because of his effective representation of the Somali community, his strong relationship with Eastleigh's business constituency, and his success in landing key infrastructure development projects for the riding.