Africa-Press – Kenya. As 2025 draws to a close, Kenya bids farewell to several prominent figures who made significant contributions to the country’s progress. This year, a number of high-profile people passed away, from politicians to veteran media icons.
Kenyans.co.ke reviews some of the biggest personalities who the country lost in 2025.
He is considered one of the most influential Kenyan political figures to have ever lived. The former Prime Minister passed away on October 15 at the age of 80 after suffering a cardiac arrest while on a morning walk in India.
Raila’s political career spanned over 30 years, marked by several bids for the presidency.
He is considered one of the few Kenyans who shaped the country’s democracy from fighting for multi-party democracy in 1992 to the new Constitution in 2010.
The former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader triggered nationwide mourning, with President William Ruto declaring a 7-day mourning period and a state funeral.
He was buried at his native home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County.
The former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson passed away on February 20, 2025, at the age of 63, after suffering a short illness.
He oversaw the 2017 and the 2022 elections. Two elections that were considered largely peaceful despite opposition rejecting the poll results.
An autopsy conducted on his body revealed that he suffered from a cancerous brain tumour and died of cardiac arrest.
The veteran journalist and broadcaster passed away on February 7 this year at the age of 85 after suffering from complications related to pneumonia and low blood pressure.
He had been unwell for about three weeks and was receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital before his passing. His family confirmed that he died after a short illness.
Mbotela was a highly respected journalist known for his distinctive voice and iconic show on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Je, Huu Ni Ungwana? show.
He was fatally shot on April 30, along Ngong Road in Nairobi. The MP suffered five gunshot wounds, with bullets tearing through his vital organs, killing him instantly.
A post-mortem carried out showed that the 52-year-old died from excessive bleeding and the collapse of vital organs.
He was shot by three gunmen, who had been trailing him on a motorcycle.
He was, however, replaced by his elder son, Boyd Were, following the by-elections conducted on November 27 this year.
The Baringo Senator died while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital on February 16 2025.
Cheptumo was serving his first term in office after trouncing KANU’s Gideon Moi in the 2022 General Elections.
Cheptumo, 57, was a lawyer by profession and had served as a Member of Parliament for Baringo North in the area between 2008 and 2013.
He was replaced by Chemitei Kiprono Cheburet, who clinched the seat after running on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The former Malava MP died on February 17 this year after weeks of hospitalisation in the Intensive Care Unit.
He died while undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.
The late legislator was the Vice Chair of the National Assembly’s Education and Research Committee.
He was replaced by UDA’s David Ndakwa, who won following a by-election conducted on November 27, 2025.
Mbobu was a senior lawyer who was tragically shot and killed on the evening of September 9, 2025, near the Lang’ata-Magadi road, while driving his vehicle home.
He had served as the Chairperson of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal and was known for his work in constitutional litigation.
The Isiolo South MP passed away following a short illness on November 12.
Before his untimely death, Tubi was serving his first term as an MP and sat in the Departmental Committee on Environment and the Public Petitions Committee.
He was elected to represent Isiolo South Constituency in August 2022 under the Jubilee Party.
Before becoming an MP, the deceased lawmaker served as the Speaker of the Isiolo County Assembly from 2013 to 2017.
Former Cabinet Minister and Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo passed away on December 13 following a grisly road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway involving his Mercedes car and a 65-seater bus at the Karai area in Naivasha.
The 64-year-old was a former Minister for Rural Development during Kenya’s second President, Daniel Moi’s administration between March 2002 and December of the same year.
He also served as Member of Parliament for Lugari Constituency between 1997 and 2002 and between 2007 and 2013.
In 2022, he unsuccessfully contested the Kakamega gubernatorial position under the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Supreme Court Judge Ibrahim Mohammed died on December 17, after a long battle with illness.
According to the Judiciary, the judge passed away at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, where he was receiving treatment.
He served at the Apex court since June 2011 and was part of the panel of judges that listened to the highly contentious cases challenging the 2013 and 2022 presidential elections.
He was buried on December 18, hardly 24 hours after his demise at the Kariokor Muslim Cemetery in Nairobi, per the Islamic funeral rites.
Source: Kenyans.co.ke
