The endorsements of Boyd Were and Rhyan Injendi as possible successors to their late fathers in Kasipul and Malava constituencies respectively have once again shone a spotlight on how the political class continues to perpetuate the idea that elective seats can be passed down to leaders’ offspring.
In by-elections, Kenyans have grown accustomed to a familiar trend where relatives seek to inherit seats left vacant by their dead kin. Voters are often asked to elect the relatives or surrogates of politicians who died while in office, under the pretext that they will carry on their legacies or fulfil their visions. In most cases, this has amounted to politicians riding on public sympathy.
Former MPs Malulu Injendi ( Malava Constituency) and Charles Ong'ondo Were (Kasipul). Their sons have been endorsed to replace them.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Analysts view this trend as a self-serving tactic aimed at keeping power and influence within a few families, with political dynasties often quick to nominate their kin to inherit elective seats.
In Kasipul Constituency, Boyd Were has emerged as the preferred Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate to succeed his slain father, Charles Ong’ondo Were, following the endorsement by the party’s National Youth League Executive Council last Thursday. ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, along with Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, also appear to be backing Boyd’s candidacy—this even before the party has conducted its primaries.
“The family of Were should not vanish from the political scene. Discussions on who will receive the party certificate will be held at a later date,” Mr Kaluma said during the burial.
“I was involved in nominating Moses Kajwang in the Senate by-election in 2016. During our discussions, we settled on him, and he has managed to perform. Do not hold discussions on who will take over after Were without involving me,” he added.
Boyd Were, the son of former Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were, during his father's requiem mass at Consolata Shrine in Nairobi on May 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Governor Wanga has, however, stated that all aspirants, especially those seeking the ODM ticket, will be given a fair chance to campaign and seek support from the electorate. Addressing journalists on Thursday, ODM Youth League President John Ketora said the interests of the people of Kasipul would be best served by a family member of the late MP.
“When that time comes, the family should consider nominating someone who can continue the legacy of his father,” he said.
In Malava, Rhyan Injendi began attracting endorsements during the burial of his father, with leaders including Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli calling on him to inherit the seat.
During a prayer service for his late father in April, Rhyan made his strongest indication yet of his ambition to succeed his father.
“People of Malava, when a parent is a teacher, he or she will be proud when their children follow in their footsteps. Even a police officer takes pride when their children do the same. So, for me, would there be a problem if I seek to inherit the seat held by my father, who was an MP?" Mr Injendi posed.
Rhyan Injendi.
Photo credit: Pool
These recent endorsements add to a growing list of cases where the political elite rally behind relatives of deceased politicians. Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, now in his second term, was first elected following the death of his father Yusuf Haji in February 2021.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was elected unopposed to the Sabatia parliamentary seat in 1989 following the death of his father, Moses Mudavadi—a former powerful Cabinet minister in President Daniel Moi’s administration.
Since then, he has remained a key political figure having served as Cabinet Minister, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister among other roles. The late Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso succeeded her sister Lorna Laboso as Sotik MP in 2008 after the latter died in a plane crash.
Similarly, Beatrice Kones was first elected MP following the death of her husband, former Cabinet minister Kipkalya Kones, who also died in the same plane crash as Lorna Laboso in Enoosupukia, Narok. In Homa Bay County, Senator Moses Kajwang secured the ODM party’s endorsement to succeed his brother, Otieno Kajwang, who died in 2014.
In Kitui, Edith Nyenze was nominated by the Wiper party and later elected to succeed her husband, Francis Nyenze, the former Kitui West MP who died of cancer at the age of 60 in 2017.
Former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri was picked in 1996 by President Moi to succeed his father as MP for Hamisi Constituency in a by-election, at just 21 years old, on a Kanu ticket. He remained active in politics until 2022 when he lost his gubernatorial bid for Vihiga.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr succeeded his father, Mutula Kilonzo, as senator of Makueni after his death in 2013. Mr Kilonzo Jr went on to serve two terms before being elected governor.
Former Labour Minister Ahmed Mohamed Khalif, who died in a 2003 plane crash, was also succeeded by his son, Mohamed Khalif. In Kibra, former MP Imran Okoth succeeded his late brother Ken Okoth in 2019. However, Imran lost his seat in the 2022 General Election.
