Lamu Deputy Governor Raphael Munyua Ndung’u has died following a long illness.
Ndung’u passed away on Friday at Nairobi Hospital, confirmed by his younger brother, Daniel Njoroge, who did not reveal the cause of death.
READ: Rebecca Cheptegei: Father Mourns Death of His Beloved Daughter, Family’s Breadwinner
“It’s sad that my brother has died. He died this evening at around 6 pm while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital. It has dealt a blow to our family. May his soul rest in peace,” said his brother Njoroge told Nation.
President William Ruto expressed his condolences to the family described the Deputy Governor as a forward-thinking leader and extended his love and prayers to the family, friends, and people of Lamu County.
“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,” the President wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “Rest in peace.”
Several leaders paid their respects to the late Ndung’u, including Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who praised him as a visionary and committed leader, expressing that his dedication to Lamu County would be greatly missed and offering condolences to his family.
READ: Hillside Endarasha Academy: Heartbreak as Parents Grieve at Scene of Fatal School Fire
“His dedication to Lamu County will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and the Lamu community. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Ichung’wah remarked.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro also extended his condolences, acknowledging Ndung’u’s prolonged illness.“Our deepest condolences to the people of Lamu and the family of Hon Raphael Munyua Ndung’u,” Nyoro said.
Lamu Women Representative Muthoni Marubu also posted on her Facebook page, expressing her farewells and wishing peace for Ndung’u’s soul.
“To God we come and to God we shall return. Until we meet again dear brother. It is well with your soul Raphael Munyua, Deputy Governor Lamu County Government. May you rest in peace.”
Ndung’us Background
Ndung’u was born in Umoja area of Mpeketoni Division, Lamu West.
He went to Umoja Primary School before joining Mpeketoni Secondary School. He later joined Kenyatta University where he pursued an Architectural Mathematics course.
Ndung’u previously held the position of Health Executive for Lamu County under former Governor Fahim Yassin Twaha before taking on the role of Deputy Governor for Lamu County under Governor Issa Timamy in August 2022.
Before politics, he was involved with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in both Kenya and Tanzania. He first entered politics as Fahim Yassin Twaha’s running mate in the 2013 General Election, where they were defeated by Timamy.
He has also worked with various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) both in Kenya and Tanzania before joining politics for the first time as Fahim Yassin Twaha’s running mate in the 2013 General Election which they lost to Timamy.
In the 2022 General Election, Ndung’u crossed over to Timamy as his running mate and managed to defeat then-incumbent Twaha, hence becoming Deputy Governor, a position he served till his untimely death on Friday, September 6, 2024.
Ndung’u was a father of two.
