Magugu was first elected to Parliament in 1969 after defeating veteran freedom fighter Waira wa Kamau in Githunguri, an upset that announced his arrival on the national political stage.
His political ascent saw him appointed Assistant Minister for Health in 1974 and later Minister for Health after the 1979 General Election. He quickly built a reputation as a capable administrator rather than a vocal MP.
After appointment to the Cabinet, his relationship with Parliament was notably distant. He was rarely seen engaging in parliamentary debates, preferring to operate from within the Cabinet.
His low profile in the House became more pronounced after he was transferred to the Finance Ministry in the early 1980s, a period marked by political uncertainty and economic strain under the Moi administration.
In 1983, Members of Parliament debated Magugu's prolonged absence from the August House, questioning whether the Speaker should declare his seat vacant as required by law.
In 2002, Magugu returned to Parliament, reclaiming the Githunguri seat. This is the term that cemented his place in history. Due to prolonged ill health, he stayed away from Parliament entirely after being sworn in.
Despite his total absence from proceedings, he remained an MP for the full term until after the 2007 elections, an unprecedented occurrence in Kenya’s legislative history.
Magugu passed away in 2012. His legacy is defined less by parliamentary participation and more by the extraordinary distinction of serving a complete term without ever attending Parliament.
