National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has formally declared a parliamentary seat vacant following the passing of Nominated Member of Parliament Denar Joseph Hamisi.
The lawmaker, nominated by the Amani National Congress (ANC) party under the Kenya Kwanza alliance, died on Saturday, December 6, 2025. He was 56 years old.
In a gazette notice dated January 2, 2026, Speaker Wetang’ula cited constitutional provisions necessitating the declaration. “It is notified for the general information of the public that the seat of the Nominated Member of the National Assembly, Hon. Denar Joseph Hamisi, M.P., … has become vacant, with effect from the 6th December 2025,” the notice stated.
The announcement triggers the constitutional process for filling the vacant position. Unlike an elected constituency seat, a nominated MP’s position is not filled through a by-election.
Instead, the political party that nominated the deceased member—in this case, the ANC—is required to appoint a replacement. The new nominee must be selected from the party’s original list submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of the 2022 General Election.
During his tenure, Hamisi served on the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture and the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities.
Tributes have poured in from parliamentary colleagues and political leaders. Speaker Wetang’ula, in an earlier statement confirming the MP’s death, commended his service. “On behalf of all Members and staff of the National Assembly, and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Hon Denar, and to all who experienced his humility and unwavering dedication to serving the nation and community,” he said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, former party leader of ANC, also mourned the legislator, describing him as a principled and dependable figure within the party and Parliament.
The ANC party is now expected to begin the internal process of selecting a nominee to succeed Hamisi, whose legislative contributions have been acknowledged across the political divide.
By Meta