Prominent Kenyans Who Died in 2025

As the year 2025 comes to an end, Kenyans are reflecting on the lives of notable leaders, professionals, and public figures who passed away during the year. From seasoned politicians to respected media personalities, the country lost individuals who played key roles in shaping Kenya’s political, legal, and social landscape.

Below is a look at some of the prominent Kenyans whose deaths marked the year 2025.

Raila Odinga

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. He died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 after suffering a cardiac arrest while on a morning walk in India.

Raila’s political journey spanned more than three decades, during which he contested the presidency on several occasions. He was widely recognised for his role in the fight for multiparty democracy and his contribution to the making of the 2010 Constitution. He was in politics for over 20 years.

Following his death, President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, and Raila was accorded a state funeral. He was laid to rest at his rural home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.

Wafula Chebukati

Former IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati passed away on February 20, 2025, aged 63, after a short illness.

Chebukati presided over the 2017 and 2022 General Elections, both of which were largely peaceful despite disputes over results. An autopsy later revealed that he had been battling a cancerous brain tumour and died after suffering cardiac arrest.

Leonard Mambo Mbotela

Veteran broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela died on February 7, 2025, at the age of 85.

The respected journalist had been admitted to a Nairobi hospital for about three weeks. His family said he succumbed to pneumonia-related complications and low blood pressure.

Mbotela was best known for his iconic KBC programme “Je, Huu Ni Ungwana?” and his deep, unmistakable voice that made him a household name across generations.

Charles Ong’ondo Were

Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot dead on April 30, 2025, along Ngong Road in Nairobi.

The 52-year-old legislator was attacked by gunmen riding a motorcycle and sustained five gunshot wounds. A post-mortem showed that he died from excessive bleeding and organ failure.

He was later replaced by his elder son, Boyd Were, who won the Kasipul seat in a by-election held on November 27, 2025.

William Cheptumo

Baringo Senator William Cheptumo died on February 16, 2025, while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital.

Cheptumo, 57, was serving his first term after winning the seat in the 2022 elections. A trained lawyer, he had previously served as Baringo North MP between 2008 and 2013.

He was succeeded by Chemitei Kiprono Cheburet, who won the senatorial by-election on a UDA ticket.

Malulu Injendi

Former Malava MP Malulu Injendi died on February 17, 2025, after spending several weeks in the Intensive Care Unit.

He passed away at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. At the time of his death, Injendi was serving as the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Education and Research Committee.

UDA’s David Ndakwa later won the Malava parliamentary seat in the November by-election.

Kyalo Mbobu

Senior advocate Kyalo Mbobu was shot dead on the evening of September 9, 2025, near the Lang’ata–Magadi Road while driving home.

Mbobu previously served as the Chairperson of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal and was widely respected for his work in constitutional and political law.

Tibu Dibu Mohamed

Isiolo South MP Tibu Dibu Mohamed died on November 12, 2025, following a short illness.

He was serving his first term in Parliament, where he sat on the Environment and Public Petitions committees. He was elected under the Jubilee Party in the 2022 General Election.

Before joining Parliament, he served as Speaker of the Isiolo County Assembly from 2013 to 2017.

Cyrus Jirongo

Former Lugari MP and Cabinet Minister Cyrus Jirongo died on December 13, 2025, following a tragic road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Karai, Naivasha.

His Mercedes vehicle was involved in a collision with a 65-seater bus. Jirongo, 64, previously served as Minister for Rural Development during the late President Daniel Moi’s administration.

He represented Lugari Constituency in Parliament between 1997–2002 and 2007–2013. In 2022, he unsuccessfully vied for the Kakamega governor seat.

Supreme Court Judge Ibrahim Mohammed

Supreme Court Judge Ibrahim Mohammed died on December 17, 2025, after a long illness.

The Judiciary confirmed that he passed away while undergoing treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. He had served at the Supreme Court since 2011 and was part of the bench that heard petitions challenging the 2013 and 2022 presidential elections.

Judge Mohammed was buried on December 18 at the Kariokor Muslim Cemetery in Nairobi, in accordance with Islamic rites.

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