This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso, a trailblazer in Kenyan politics, has passed away at the Nairobi Hospital after succumbing to cancer.
Laboso, 58, had been receiving treatment in India and the United Kingdom before being transferred to Nairobi Hospital's ICU last week.
She had been on full bed rest, with the county restricting the number of visitors to allow her enough rest.
During her time out of the country, Deputy Governor Hillary Barchok had been running the county's affairs with the assistance of County Secretary Evalyne Rono.
Laboso's health issues were not publicly disclosed, with the county citing it as a private matter.
Here are five key facts about Joyce Laboso's life and career:
- She was the first female governor of Bomet and a former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya.
- Laboso was married with three sons and had previously worked as a Lecturer at Egerton University and a Commissioner of the National Commission on Gender and Development.
- She was elected to the Parliament of Kenya to represent the Sotik Constituency in a by-election held on September 25, 2008, after succeeding her sister, Lorna Laboso, who died in a plane crash.
- Laboso was among the first Kenyan female governors elected in 2017, defeating Isaac Ruto in the August 8, 2017 General Elections.
- She took office on August 22, 2017, and served as governor until her passing.
