Preparations as Koru readies for Laboso burial

The home of Former Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso in Kandege Village, Muhoroni in Kisumu County. [Kevine Omollo]

Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso will be laid to rest at Kandege village in Koru, Muhoroni, Kisumu County on Saturday.

Even though Laboso’s home was inaccessible to the public, few people hang around the fence to get a glimpse of preparations underway inside the compound.

Residents described Dr Laboso and her husband Edwin Abonyo as their good neighbour and said they were happy that Laboso would be brought back home to be buried.

In Nairobi, Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter who spoke on behalf of the team organising the burial, said Laboso will be buried on Saturday at her matrimonial home.

The governor died on Monday after a long battle with cancer.

“There will be a requiem mass at All Saints Cathedral on Thursday till like 2pm then the body will be flown to Bomet Stadium for viewing till Friday afternoon. From there, it will be transported to Fort Tenan, where burial will take place on Saturday 3pm at her matrimonial home in Kadenge village on the border of Kericho and Muhoroni,” said Keter at his Nyayo House office, yesterday.

Present were governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Lands Cabinet Secretary Faridah Karoney and Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Rachel Shebesh.

Others present were Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi, Samburu West MP Naisuda Leisula , Eng John Mosonik, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, Nominated MP Cecily Mbarire, former Principal Secretary Davis Chirchir among other leaders mostly from Bomet.

Back in Kadenge village, there was a flurry of activity within Laboso’s  compound, with at least 20 young men renovating the main house and the pavements, at the home located 100 metres off Muhoroni-Londiani highway, about 10kms East of Koru town.

The area near Kisumu-Nandi border, was formerly a scheme inherited from the colonialists.

“There is one funeral committee in Nairobi which handles issues of the media, so you are not allowed in here,” said the home manager who introduced himself as Mr Kosgei, to journalists.

A few high-end vehicles drove in and out of the compound, but under the instructions of Mr Kosgei, with others being turned away at the gate.

Some of the workers said more works are expected to commence today, which would see the gravelling of the all-weather road leading to the home as well as that leading to the home of a senior Kisumu politician where governors are set to be hosted during the Saturday burial.

According to the residents, the couple had been close to the neighbours, and in many cases contributed money towards village activities such as funerals and harambees.

“When word stated going round that she (Laboso) may be buried in Bomet, we were worried because we have always known this as her home,” said a villager.

A man who claimed he has been helping Laboso’s family in pruning their small coffee garden, said they had heard some wailing in the compound after the announcement of Laboso’s death, in line with the Luo tradition.