In 2025, Kenya mourned the loss of a number of politicians whose deaths sparked conversations across the nation.
Their absence was felt not only in politics but also in the communities they served. Here are five politicians who passed away that year:
Malulu Injendi
Malava Member of Parliament (MP) Moses Malulu Injendi died on 17 February 2025 while receiving treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, where he had been admitted to the ICU for weeks with breathing complications.
His passing came just a day after the death of his elder brother, Samuel Injendi, plunging the family into a double tragedy.
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Serving his third consecutive term, Injendi was Vice Chairman of the Education and Research Committee, where he was recognised for championing education reforms and addressing challenges in the sugar sector.
Leaders across the political divide remembered him as a dedicated legislator who served with integrity and commitment. He was laid to rest on 4 March 2025 at his family home in Lukusi Village, Malava, in a funeral where only President William Ruto, close family, and church leaders addressed mourners.
William Cheptumo
Baringo Senator William Cheptumo died on 16 February 2025 at Nairobi Hospital following a short illness that worsened after his earlier discharge.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi described him as a devoted leader, while President William Ruto hailed him as a progressive and hardworking servant who tirelessly advanced development in Baringo.
Cheptumo had a long political career, serving as MP for Baringo North from 2007 to 2022 before being elected Senator in 2022. He chaired the Senate’s National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee.
A law graduate from the University of Nairobi, he previously worked as a legal officer at the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation and the Central Bank of Kenya before establishing his own law firm. He was buried on 1 March 2025 at his home in Baringo North.
Charles Ong’ondo Were
Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was ambushed and fatally shot by unknown assailants on a motorcycle along Ngong Road, Nairobi, on the evening of 30 April 2025. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival, while his driver survived. Authorities described the killing as a targeted attack, sparking shock across the country.
Elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2022 on an ODM ticket, Were served on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation and was Vice Chair of the Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities.
He held business management qualifications from Mount Kenya University and computerised accounting certification from Meru University, and had previously held leadership roles in private firms. He was laid to rest on 9 May 2025 in Homa Bay County.
Mathew Lempurkel
Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel died on 24 August 2025 while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, where he had been admitted after sustaining serious head injuries in a road accident on 18 August at Ong’ata Rongai.
Lempurkel served as MP from 2013 to 2017 on an ODM ticket and was known for his activism on behalf of the Maa community, especially in land rights and cultural preservation.
Before politics, he was Executive Director of the Ndugu Zangu Christian Community Charitable Trust, which supported children’s heart surgeries and clean water initiatives in Northern Kenya. Burial preparations were ongoing at the time of reporting.
Moses Mulomi
Former Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi died on 28 January 2025 after a short illness. Former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong revealed that Mulomi developed health complications on his way to Nairobi, where he was headed for treatment.
Mulomi, who ran for governor in 2022 on a DAP-K ticket, was remembered as a humble and devoted leader. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah described him as selfless, while DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa praised him as a resourceful figure who touched many lives and left an enduring mark on the county’s development and politics.
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