This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On July 30, 2019, Bomet County was plunged into mourning after the sudden death of Governor Joyce Laboso. The news of her passing was met with shock and grief from residents and employees alike.
According to County Secretary Evaline Rono, the news was received with great difficulty, and it was hard to bear. "It is sad and hard to believe for some of us. It is a big loss to the entire country and not Bomet county alone," Rono said.
Business activities in Bomet town came to a standstill as residents gathered in small groups to discuss the news of Laboso's illness and subsequent death. Neighbours in Sotik Constituency were also left reeling from the news, with some struggling to believe that Laboso would never return to their village.
Former Governor Isaac Ruto, Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, and Bomet MCAs were among those who joined locals in mourning Laboso's death. Keter described Laboso as an exemplary leader and a friend of Kericho people, saying her passing was a big loss to her family, the people of Bomet, and Kenyans in general.
"Joyce was a development conscious leader and a role model for women aspiring for leadership positions. I visited her at the hospital in India where she was recuperating and she told me she was strong at heart," Keter said.
As the news of Laboso's death slowly filtered in, residents and leaders came together to pay their respects and offer condolences to her family.
