Lamu Governor Finally Gets New Deputy 6 Months After DG Raphael Munyua’s Death

Lamu County is on the verge of acquiring a new deputy governor, months after the death of Raphael Munyua Ndung’u.

Governor Issa Timamy nominated Mbarak Bahjaj to deputise him, with the Lamu County Assembly approving his nomination on Thursday. The announcement was confirmed on Thursday, February 13, by Lamu County Assembly Speaker Ali Ahzar Mbarak.

After the nomination, Mbarak will effectively leave his position as Lamu County Executive Committee member for Health, Sanitation, and Environment.

“We’ve received the name of Dr Mohammed Mbarak Bahjaj from the governor from the county assembly as the nominee for the Deputy Governor position,” Ahzar said in a statement. “My duty is now to ensure all that is required is done as per the law and as per the stipulated period.”

Initially, Timamy had nominated County Executive Member for Agriculture and Food Security James Gichu to deputise him, but this move was met with heavy opposition by MCAs in the county.

Notably, Gichu’s nomination was rejected twice, with sections of MCAs admitting ethnic politics was at play. Reports suggest local leaders in Lamu wanted the governor to appoint a deputy who was from the indigenous local communities.

That said, however, Mbarak boasts an impressive CV which justifies his nomination to be the county’s number two in the leadership hierarchy.

Not only has there been the establishment of six maternity wings under Mbarak’s leadership as the Health CEC, but he has also been integral in the fight against maternity deaths in the county over the past two years.

The approval of Bajhaj’s nomination also brings an end to a wave of uncertainty on who would deputise Timamy for the remainder of his tenure, with Lamu County being on the verge of a constitutional anomaly.

After the National Assembly’s approval of the mediated versions of amendments to the County Governments Act, 2017, governors are required to nominate their deputy within 14 days of the office being declared vacant. 

The late Munyua passed away while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital in September 2024, with his death being confirmed by his brother.

While the cause of death was not made public, Munyua’s passing came as a shocker in the political space, with President William Ruto leading in passing condolence messages.