One of the only three women Governors in Kenya, Dr. Joyce Laboso, has died. Ms. Laboso, Governor of Bomet County, died on Monday at the age of 58 while undergoing treatment for cancer at Nairobi Hospital.
She had earlier sought treatment in the United Kingdom and India in May this year before returning to Kenya on July 14.
“It is a major blow to Kenya, she was a strong lady and a strong fighter for justice and freedom, she has been firm since joining the political arena,” former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said.
Kenya Deputy President William Ruto visited Lasobo in the hospital on Sunday. He said she was in a lot of pain. “The amount of pain that she was going through and the medicines she was being given so that she can overcome the pain, I think God has finally rested Joyce.”
Dr. Laboso trounced governor Isaac Ruto to become Bonet Governor in 2017.
Before becoming a governor, she Laboso served as the Sotik Constituency Member of Parliament. She won that seat following the death of her younger sister Lorna Laboso in a plane crash on June 10, 2008.
Dr. Laboso’s body has been moved to the Lee Funeral Home while the family prepares funeral arrangements.
