National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has officially declared a vacancy in Parliament following the demise of nominated Member of Parliament Denar Joseph Hamisi.
The Kenya Kwanza alliance nominated MP passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the age of 56.
In a gazette notice dated January 2, 2026, Wetang'ula said that the vacancy declaration was made in line with Articles 101 (2) (a) and 103 (1) (a) of the Constitution.
"PURSUANT to Articles 101 (2) (a) and 103 (1) (a) of the Constitution as read with section 16 (3) of the Elections Act (Cap. 7), it is notified for the general information of the public that the seat of theNominated Member of the National Assembly, Hon. Denar Joseph Hamisi, M.P., nominated under Article 97 (1) (c) of the Constitution, has become vacant, with effect from the 6th December 2025," the notice said.
Under the Constitution, a parliamentary seat falls vacant upon the demise, resignation or expulsion of a sitting member.
The speaker is required to issue a vacancy notice within 21 days of the event, which will prompt the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to trigger by-election procedures in line with the constitution.
The IEBC is then required to conduct a by-election within 90 days after a seat is declared vacant. However, the process of replacing a nominated MP is slightly different.
Under the Elections Act, the political party they represented appoints a replacement from its original party list submitted to the IEBC before the last general election. There is no by-election for a nominated seat.
Hamisi was nominated to the National Assembly under the Amani National Congress (ANC) party following the 2022 General Election.
In Parliament, the lawmaker served on the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, as well as the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities.
Wetang'ula, who confirmed the MP's demise through an official notice on Saturday, December 6, praised him for his diligence and commitment.
"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," the speaker said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musaliam Mudavadi, who previously led the ANC party, mourned the late MP, describing him as a principled and dependable leader.
