Why Family Members Often Replace Deceased Politicians: Cases From Kenya, Africa and the US

The appointment of Darline Graham to the United States Senate after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, has once again drawn attention to a political trend seen in many democracies around the world of family members succeeding deceased politicians.

From Kenya to the United States and other African countries, family members have often stepped into public office after the death of a politician.

While many people assume these positions are inherited, experts say the appointments and election victories are usually driven by political strategy, public sympathy and existing support networks.

In most cases, the relatives either win a by-election, receive a political nomination or are appointed under laws governing vacancies.

Why Family Members Often Succeed Deceased Politicians

Research say several factors explain why parties and voters turn to relatives of deceased leaders.

One reason is the sympathy vote, where voters support the family of a politician who died in office.

Family members also benefit from name recognition, making them more familiar to voters than new candidates.

They often inherit well-established campaign teams, political allies and grassroots networks, giving them an advantage during elections.

Political parties also believe relatives are better placed to continue the development agenda and political legacy of the deceased leader.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa) notes that this pattern has been witnessed in several African countries, particularly during by-elections where parties seek to retain support in a constituency.

Kenya’s Notable Examples

Kenya has witnessed several family members taking over political leadership after the death of a close relative.

Following the death of Cabinet Minister and Bomet MP Kipkalya Kones in a 2008 plane crash, his widow, Beatrice Kones, won the Bomet parliamentary by-election.

The same plane crash claimed the life of Sotik MP Lorna Laboso. Her sister, Joyce Laboso, later won the Sotik by-election and eventually became Bomet Governor.

When Kibra MP Ken Okoth died in 2019, his brother Imran Okoth won the by-election on an ODM ticket.

After the death of Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo in 2013, his son Mutula Kilonzo Jr. successfully contested the Senate seat.

President William Ruto also nominated Hanna Wendot Cheptumo as Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage after the death of her husband, Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, in 2025.

Although she did not take over his Senate seat, her appointment reflected another case where a close family member assumed senior public office after the death of a prominent politician.

More recently, Boyd Ong’ondo Were won the Kasipul parliamentary seat following the death of his father, Charles Ong’ondo Were, continuing the family’s political legacy.

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Family Successions Across Africa

The trend is not unique to Kenya.

In Malawi, Peter Mutharika rose to lead the Democratic Progressive Party after the death of his brother, President Bingu wa Mutharika, before winning the presidency in the 2014 general election.

In Zambia, members of former President Michael Sata’s family remained active in politics after his death in 2014, with his son Mulenga Sata serving in public office.

Across countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, widows and children of deceased lawmakers have also contested and won parliamentary seats, often with the backing of major political parties seeking to retain their support base.

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The Long Tradition in the United States

The United States has a long history of family members replacing deceased lawmakers, particularly in the Senate.

Historians refer to the practice as “widow’s succession,” where governors appoint spouses or relatives to temporarily fill vacant seats until a special election is held.

One of the earliest examples was Hattie Caraway, who became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate after initially being appointed following the death of her husband, Senator Thaddeus Caraway, in 1931.

In 1978, Muriel Humphrey was appointed to the Senate after the death of her husband, former Vice President and Senator Hubert Humphrey.

The same year, Maryon Pittman Allen succeeded her husband, Senator James B. Allen, after receiving an appointment from the governor of Alabama.

In 1992, Jocelyn Burdick briefly served in the Senate after the death of her husband, Senator Quentin Burdick.

The practice has also extended to the House of Representatives. Mary Bono won a special election after the death of Congressman Sonny Bono, while Doris Matsui succeeded her late husband, Congressman Robert Matsui, and continues to serve in Congress.

Most recently, Darline Graham was sworn in to the U.S. Senate to complete the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s term, adding another chapter to the country’s long history of family political succession.

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Photos of Wives who succeeded their deceased spouses in the US political arena.From left;Former Senator Muriel Humphrey,Former Senator Mary Bono and Senator Darline Graham
PHOTO/AFP