This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
Dr Joyce Cherono Laboso's remarkable journey in Kenyan politics began with her election as the first female deputy speaker of the National Assembly in 2013, a position she held with distinction.
Two years later, in the 2017 General Election, Dr Laboso made history again by becoming the first female governor of Kenya, joining Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru as the first three women to be elected governors in the country.
Dr Laboso's achievements were not limited to her political career. She was a pioneer in girls' education, being among the first cohort of Kipsigis girls to attend school. She went on to become a teacher, specializing in French, and later pursued her Master's and PhD degrees in the United Kingdom.
Her entry into politics was sparked by the loss of her sister, Lorna, who perished in a plane crash in 2008. Dr Laboso won the Bomet parliamentary seat in a by-election, becoming the first Kipsigis woman to be elected to parliament. She went on to win a second term, making her the first Kipsigis woman to be elected for two terms in parliament.
Dr Laboso's trailblazing spirit continued as she was elected as the first female Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly in the first round of voting while serving her second term in parliament. In 2014, she announced her intention to run for governor of Bomet, a decision that was both a surprise and a testament to her determination to break ceilings.
Despite facing mudslinging and challenges, Dr Laboso stood tall and worked hard, ultimately being elected as the Bomet Governor. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of women in Kenya and beyond.
