Monicah Muthoni Marubu, a Lamu County native, has become a notable figure in Kenyan politics. Born in Kiongwe, Mpeketoni, she grew up in the Hindi area. Marubu attended Ndeu Primary School and later joined Lamu Girls High School, where she completed her secondary education between 2004 and 2007. She then pursued her higher education at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A), graduating with First Class Honours in 2013.
Before entering national politics, Marubu had a background in public service and community engagement. She worked as an administrative assistant at USIU-A from 2010 and later served as a member of the Lamu County Assembly between 2013 and 2017. Marubu then joined the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Development Authority, where she headed community liaison and stakeholder engagement from 2018 to 2022.
Marubu's entry into national politics began with her unsuccessful bid for the Lamu Woman Representative position in the 2017 General Election. However, she returned to the race in 2022 and won the seat as an independent candidate, garnering 16,480 votes. Following her election, she joined the President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza coalition.
In August 2026, Marubu made headlines when she withdrew her plans to join Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. She had initially intended to join UDA after Ruto asked her to help mobilize support for the party in Lamu. Marubu spent three months conducting grassroots mobilization, holding 42 meetings, and registering members for the party. Her departure from UDA came amid a reported political dispute with Lamu Governor and UDA Deputy Party Leader Issa Timamy.
Lamu County, represented by Marubu, has recently gained attention due to significant investments in the region. The planned $16 billion oil refinery by Dangote Group, set to break ground on September 30, has put the county under greater economic and political focus. The facility, expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, aims to supply petroleum products to Kenya and other East African markets.
The Dangote refinery project has generated debate over land ownership and environmental concerns, with residents and stakeholders raising issues that are now subject to legal proceedings. Marubu's role as a representative of Lamu County has placed her at the center of discussions surrounding the project's impact on the region.
As a representative of Lamu County, Marubu continues to navigate the complexities of her position amidst significant investments and development in the region. Her background in community engagement and public service has equipped her to address the concerns of her constituents. With Lamu County poised for growth, Marubu's leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the region's future.
Key points
- Monicah Muthoni Marubu won the Lamu County Woman Representative seat as an independent candidate with 16,480 votes in 2022.
- Marubu withdrew her plans to join United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in August 2026 due to a reported political dispute with Lamu Governor Issa Timamy.
- The planned $16 billion Dangote oil refinery in Lamu has generated debate over land ownership and environmental concerns.
