Politicians who took over power after the death of their spouses or siblings

 

The just-concluded Kibra elections brought to light what I could term as ‘Family politics’. This is where an individual wins a seat that was previously held by their kin.

As you might know, the Kibra seat was held by Ken Okoth before he succumbed to cancer in July. Imran Okoth is now the new member of Parliament after he beat 23 other contestants.

Below are politicians who took over their spouses, parents or siblings mantle in the political arena after their deaths.

1. Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze took over from her husband, Francis Nyenze after he passed on after the 2017 General Election due to colon cancer.

Mrs Nyenze, who was running on a Wiper Party ticket, garnered 72.67 per cent of the votes cast, to convincingly whitewash her four competitors.

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The Nyenze’s

2. Homa Bay Senator

Moses Kajwang took over from his brother Otieno Kajwang after he passed away on 18 November 2014 after suffering a heart attack.

After the death of Otieno Kajwang, his brother Moses decided to venture into politics and was elected on 12 February 2015 in a by-election.

Otieno Kajwang was famously known for his ‘Bado Mapambano’ slang.

 

Moses Kajwang (Right ) and the late Otieno Kajwang

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3. Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr

Kilonzo Jnr took over the seat from his father following his death in 2013.

The late Mutula Kilonzo

He was elected on a WDM-K ticket in a by-election in July 2013.

Mutula is currently serving his second term since his election in August 2017.

Mutula Kilonzo Junior and his wife

4. Imran Okoth and Ken Okoth

Imran is the new politician on the block, he has taken over the Kibra member of parliament seat from his late brother Ken Okoth.

Ken succumbed to cancer in July, it is after his death that Okoth’s death that his family beckoned to Raila Odinga to endorse Imran.