Porro Ward Member of the County Assembly Patrick Lerte has passed away.
Lerte's death was confirmed through an internal memo from the Samburu clerk of the National Assembly, Fred Lenapeer, who revealed the politician died on the morning of Sunday, December 28.
The MCA was receiving treatment at the Maralal Referral Hospital, although details of his ailment are yet to be made public.
Preliminary reports indicate the MCA was taken ill in the days leading up to his death, and was receiving treatment up until he succumbed.
The MCA has served since 2022, when he was elected under the Amani National Congress (ANC) party, which merged with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance Party earlier this year.
Until his death, Lerte also served as the Chairperson of the County Assembly Committee on Lands, Physical Planning, and was often described as a 'dedicated public servant'.
Samburu West Member of Parliament Naisula Lesuuda was among the first leaders to mourn the late MCA, stating, "My heartfelt condolences go to his family, colleagues in the assembly, the people of Poro ward, and entire Samburu County during this moment of mourning."
Lerte's death came barely two weeks after the passing of another nominated Member of Parliament, Denar Joseph Hamisi, who was also nominated under the ANC party ticket in 2022.
In Parliament, he served on the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, as well as the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, where he was praised for his diligence and commitment.
''It is with profound sorrow that I hereby notify the House and the entire Parliamentary fraternity of the untimely demise of Nominated Member, the late Hon Denar Joseph Hamisi, MP, who passed on today, Saturday, December 6, 2025, at about 7am,'' Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula said.
"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 added.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi mourned the late MP, whom he labelled as a principled and dependable leader whose integrity and loyalty stood out in Kenya’s political landscape.
