The year 2025 will go down as one of the darkest years in Kenya’s political history.

It is a year that robbed the country of leaders from different walks of life, leaving behind unanswered questions, emotional farewells, and a nation struggling to understand the wave of loss.

Raila Odinga

Despite the many politicians who lost their lives that year, what shook the country to its core was the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

 Kenyans have not recovered from his passing. Many are still fighting the reality, still feeling as though Raila is somewhere around, still waiting for him to appear on TV or address a crowd. His death changed everything, sending the whole nation into a deep mourning mood.

For days, the country was full of speculation about his health. People whispered, asked questions, refreshed timelines, and hoped for the best. Then the unimaginable happened on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Raila Odinga died in India.

The announcement threw Kenya into confusion. His will was clear: he should be buried within 72 hours, so preparations began immediately. A repatriation team was sent to India to bring his body home.

Even in death, Raila brought the nation to a standstill. The Kenya Airways plane sent to pick up his body became the most tracked aircraft in history. So many Kenyans were following it that KQ had to change the tail number from KQ203 to RAO001. Every Kenyan wanted to know exactly where the plane had reached.

When his body arrived, it was under difficult and emotional circumstances. It was taken to Kasarani for public viewing, returned to Lee Funeral Home, then taken to Parliament the next morning.

From there, it proceeded to Nyayo Stadium for a state funeral. After another night at Lee, it was flown to Kisumu so his loyal supporters could see him one last time.

He was finally laid to rest at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi on Sunday, October 19, 2025. But even after the burial, Kenyans from all walks of life still travel to his tomb to pay tribute.

Dalmas Otieno

Just weeks before Raila’s death, the country had lost Dalmas Otieno, former minister and Rongo MP, who died on September 7, 2025, from hyperglycemia, a diabetes complication.

Raila, who was already undergoing treatment abroad, did not attend the funeral but sent his brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, to read his condolences. In the middle of the speech, Oburu struggled with his eyesight and had to stop. The Migori governor took over and completed the message.

Even former President Uhuru Kenyatta sent his condolences through former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero.

Mathew Lempurkel

Another loss that hit the country was that of former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel, who died on August 24, 2025, after a hit-and-run accident. Lempurkel had served as MP between 2013 and 2017 and later re-emerged politically in the 2022 elections while supporting Azimio.

After the elections, he ditched Azimio for UDA, saying he had been betrayed over a promised EALA slot. He later joined Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) months before his death.

Charles Ong’ondo Were

On April 15, 2025, Kasipul Kabondo MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot near City Mortuary while heading home. His driver and bodyguard survived, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

His death shook the nation, particularly the people of Kasipul, whom he had served for three terms. His aides became persons of interest and were arrested as homicide detectives rushed into swift investigations.

During the funeral, his son Boyd Were showed signs of wanting to inherit his father’s seat and later did.

Boyd defeated Philip Aroko in the November 27, 2025 minipolls and was sworn in on December 2 as MP. In his maiden address to Parliament, he demanded justice for his father.

William Cheptumo

William Cheptumo also passed away on February 16, 2025, while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital. He had served as Baringo North MP from 2007 to 2022 before becoming Senator.

He chaired the Senate’s National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee and was widely respected for his legal expertise. After his death, President Ruto appointed his wife, Hannah Wendot, as Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Arts, Children, and Culture.

Malulu Injendi

Former Malava MP Malulu Injendi died a day after Cheptumo, on February 17, 2025, after weeks in the ICU at Aga Khan Hospital due to breathing complications.

At some point, rumours spread online claiming he had already died, but Moses Wetang’ula dismissed them. Injendi served Malava for three consecutive terms and is remembered for championing stipends for village elders, a proposal that was only implemented years later under President Ruto.

After his burial, his son Ryan Injendi attempted to succeed him but lost the UDA nomination to David Ndakwa, who later won the seat. Ryan was eventually rewarded with an ambassadorial posting to South Africa.

As 2025 comes to an end, Kenya mourns these leaders and many others. Some of their political voids have already been filled through by-elections, but when it comes to Raila Odinga, the gap he left remains unfilled. Kenyans are still wondering who, if anyone, will ever step into his shoes.

Many believe that a leader of his stature may not appear again, not in this century.