Parliament has formally acknowledged the loss of nominated MP Denar Joseph Hamisi, with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula declaring his seat vacant following his death last month.
In a Gazette notice dated January 2, 2026, the Speaker confirmed that Hamisi’s position in the National Assembly fell vacant with effect from December 6, 2025, the day he passed away at the age of 56. The declaration was made in accordance with constitutional provisions governing the tenure of Members of Parliament.
Hamisi, who was nominated under Article 97(1)(c) of the Constitution, was part of the Kenya Kwanza coalition and entered Parliament on the Amani National Congress (ANC) party ticket after the 2022 General Election.
Under Kenyan law, a parliamentary seat automatically becomes vacant upon the death, resignation, or expulsion of a sitting member. Once such a vacancy occurs, the Speaker is required to notify the public within 21 days, paving the way for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take the necessary steps to fill the position.
However, unlike elected seats, the replacement of a nominated MP does not involve a by-election. Instead, the Elections Act provides that the political party concerned submits a replacement nominee drawn from its original party list that was filed with the IEBC ahead of the previous general election.
During his time in Parliament, Hamisi served on the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture and was also a member of the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, where he contributed to legislative oversight and policy discussions in those areas.
The process to identify his successor is now expected to proceed through the ANC party in line with electoral law.
