Remembering Joyce Laboso, a year later- Photos

Security was tight as hundreds gathered at the home of the former Bomet Governor, the late Dr Joyce Laboso home to mark the first anniversary at her Koru home in Muhoroni Constituency, Kisumu County.

Police acting on a directive from Nyanza Regional Police Commander Noah Mwivandah and County Commissioner Susan Waweru made sure that social distancing which is now the new norm under Covid-19 was strictly observed.

Laboso died of cancer at the Nairobi Hospital on July 29, last year. Her doctors said she was first diagnosed with cancer in 1991, but had been in remission until last year when her health deteriorated. Doctors also noted that cancer had spread throughout her body. 

And upon her death, Laboso’s remains were interred at her matrimonial home.

Several MCAs and other leaders were locked out at the event due to the Covid-19 regulations.

By 9am, guests and close family members were already seated at the homestead.

The atmosphere was serene and for the better part of the morning session, emotions poured as the inter faith religious organization led by ACK Maseno East Bishop John Owiti conducted the mass service in memory of Joyce Laboso.

Dr Laboso husband Mr Edwin Abonyo shed tears as he recalled how Dr Laboso was a great leader, full of great ideas, integrity, humility and compassion.

“Many people want to be here but it’s not possible because of Covid-19 measures,” he said while apologising to those who were locked out by police at the gate.

"All I can say is that in her strides, we emulate the virtues of relating with one another,” said Abonyo.

He added; “Let us embrace cultural mix and stop being ostracized by tribal identities. All of us are one. But if I were to uphold my tribal identity, perhaps our marriage bliss with Dr Joyce would have never worked. For us, we put love first and trashed our tribal origins and God blessed our marriage.”

Ida Odinga and Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi, sent their tributes in memory of the late. They described her as a great woman who managed to break male chauvinism to vie for elective position and won.

Kisumu Women Rep Rosa Buyu said the late Dr Joyce did not care about tribe. She always urged women leaders to work together.

"She was a trailblazer in many areas apart from the political sphere," she noted.

Buyu said the late was a great inspiration to many women and it is in her courageous stand in politics that many followed her footsteps.

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok led other governors in commemorating the event.

The family, in collaboration with Ethics and Integrity Institute, has launched the Dr Joyce Laboso Global Cancer Education Fund (JLGCEF), in her memory to mark her first death anniversary.

According to Mr Barchok, JLGCEF aims to increase the number of oncologists from the current 35 to 1,000.

The foundation Patron Nereah Amondi, noted that cancer was a killer disease that required attention just like other cardiovascular and infectious diseases like coronavirus.