This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On June 10, 2008, Dr. Joyce Cherono Laboso, a lecturer at Egerton University, received a phone call from her husband, Dr. Edwin Abonyo, informing her of a plane crash in the Enoosupkia Forest near the Masai Mara. The crash claimed the lives of her sister, Lorna Laboso, an assistant minister, and Minister for Roads Kipkalya Kones.
Laboso's life was forever changed that day. She was elected to replace her sister as the Sotik MP in a by-election and went on to become Kenya's first female deputy speaker. In an interview, Laboso attributed her success to destiny, saying, 'I don't believe anything happens by chance and I don't believe God does anything for nothing.'
Laboso's journey into politics was not planned. She was a high school teacher and university lecturer before her sister's death. However, she was convinced to run for the Sotik seat by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which had given the seat back to the family. She was elected MP in 2008 and later became deputy speaker in 2013.
As deputy speaker, Laboso faced challenges, including conflicts in the House and accusations of favoring women MPs. However, she remained impartial and consistently fair to everyone, earning the respect of her colleagues.
Laboso's life was marked by her love for African music, working out, and reading. She also had a passion for advancing the women's agenda in Parliament. In her new role as Kenya's first female deputy speaker, Laboso was elated and saw it as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the country.
Here are 10 facts about Joyce Laboso:
- She was the firstborn in a family of six.
- She was the head girl at Molo Primary School and later joined Kenya High School, where she was a senior prefect.
- She graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Arts (French, Literature, and Education) from Kenyatta University.
- She was married to Dr. Edwin Abonyo, a former manager at Finlays Kenya.
- She leaves behind two sons, Bryan and Ted.
- She adopted her sister's son, who sat his KCSE exams at Kabarak High in 2016.
- She was a French lecturer in the Language and Linguistics department at Egerton University before joining politics.
- She founded Lorna Laboso Memorial School, an ultra-modern girl's school, in memory of her sister.
- She loved African music and would dance to rhumba music for hours.
- Her favorite book was 'From Third World to First' by Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew.
