3 Deputy Governors who died in office

By Peter Ochieng

The 2010 constitution introduced a devolved system of governance aimed at moving resources and services closer to the electorate, through the 47 county governments.

The county governments are led by a governor and his or her deputy, elected every five years.

According to Article 180 of the constitution, the county governor shall be directly elected by the voters registered in the county, on the same day as a general election of Members of Parliament, being the second Tuesday in August, in every fifth year.

To be eligible for election as county governor, a person must be eligible for election as a member of the county assembly. If only one candidate for county governor is nominated, that candidate shall be declared elected.

If two or more candidates are nominated, an election shall be held in the county and the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected.

Each candidate for election as county governor shall nominate a person who is qualified for nomination for election as county governor, as a candidate for deputy governor.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) shall not conduct a separate election for the deputy governor but shall declare the candidate nominated by the person who is elected county governor, to have been elected as the deputy governor.

A person shall not hold office as a county governor for more than two terms; or as a deputy county governor for more than two terms.

We take a look at three deputy governors who died in office since the advent of the county governments in 2013.

1. Susan Kikwai

She died on March 20, 2021. Until her demise, Susan Kikwai was the Deputy Governor, Kericho County.

She had been undergoing treatment for Covid-19, having been in a hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two weeks. Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta was among leaders who sent a message of condolence to the family, the governor and residents of Kericho county.

He described the departed county leader as a devoted public servant who was deeply committed to the wellbeing and progress of the Kenyan nation. Kikwai was serving her second term, having first been elected in 2013, alongside former governor Paul Chepkwony.

2. Charles Kipng'ok

The then Baringo county deputy governor passed away while boarding a Kenya Airways plane from Nairobi to Mombasa, on September 14, 2022.

According to a statement by the Kenya Airways, he developed breathing difficulties. "Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) regrets to announce that a passenger developed breathing difficulties  while boarding KQ612 that was scheduled to depart for Mombasa at 1900hrs,” read the statement in part.

Charles Kipng'ok died while heading to the governor's induction in Mombasa. He was reportedly pronounced dead by the medical personnel before the plane took off.

President William Ruto in his message of comfort to the family, said Kipng'ok was an amiable, astute and highly accomplished public servant who had an enviable track record of success in the tea sub-sector.

"The sudden death of my friend Charles Kipng'ok is a big blow not only to his family, friends, government and residents of Baringo county but to the entire country, especially the tea sub-sector where he excelled for decades."

3. Raphael Munyua Ndung’u

The Lamu deputy governor died on Friday, September 6, 2024 while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital, after a long illness.

Lamu governor Issa Timamy said he had not only lost a co-worker, but a personal friend.

“Raphael was not just a deputy to me; he was a colleague, a friend, a brother and a dedicated servant of the people of Lamu. His unwavering commitment to the development and prosperity of our county was evident in every task he undertook, and his passion for uplifting the lives of our people was unmatched.”

President William Ruto called him a progressive leader dedicated to improving the lives of Lamu residents. “I’m saddened by the passing of Lamu Deputy Governor Raphael Munyua Ndung’u. He was a tireless advocate for the people of Lamu. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire county during this difficult time.”

Kikuyu Member of Parliament and leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah, said he was a committed and visionary leader.

His dedication to Lamu County, he said, will be greatly missed.