Nominated MP Denar Joseph Hamisi dies at 56

Nominated Member of Parliament Denar Joseph Hamisi has died at the age of 56, the National Assembly announced on Saturday morning.

According to a communication issued by Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula, the MP passed away at around 7am.

“It is with profound sorrow that I hereby notify the House and the entire parliamentary fraternity of the untimely demise of the late Hon Denar Joseph Hamisi,” said the speaker.

The nominated MP joined the National Assembly in 2022 as a nominated member under the Amani National Congress (ANC) party. 

He served in the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture as well as the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities.

Mr Wetang’ula praised Mr Hamisi’s service, noting that he would be “fondly remembered for humility, and steadfast commitment to service to the nation.”

Born in 1969 in Kinango, Mr Hamisi attended Mombasa Baptist High School before pursuing higher education at the United States International University (USIU), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management and a Master’s in International Business Administration. 

He later graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi.

Before joining Parliament, he held senior roles in both the public and private sectors, including serving as Director of the Coast Development Authority, Commissioner at the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya, Director at Kenya Airports Authority, and a member of both the University of Nairobi and Moi University councils.

Speaker Wetang’ula emphasized the magnitude of the loss, saying it was a loss not only to the National Assembly but also to the nation at large.

He further announced that a parliamentary team had been appointed to coordinate funeral arrangements.

 “I have appointed Members to liaise with the family and coordinate a befitting send-off for the late Hon Denar,” he said, naming Deputy Leader of the Majority Party, Owen Baya, as the head of the team.

Additional details on the burial plans are expected to be communicated later.