This archive report was first published on 4 August 2019.
On August 3, 2019, Joyce Laboso's husband, Edwin Abonyo, was left alone after her death in Nairobi. Laboso had been battling cancer for 28 years and passed away on July 29, 2019.
According to tradition in the Luo community, a man is allowed to marry another woman from the same family if his first wife has passed away. This tradition was highlighted after the death of Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso.
Abonyo's family and friends have been praising him for his love and dedication to Laboso during her illness. Abonyo's brother, Aggrey, said, "Kile ninasema kwa sasa ni kuwa kama unavyoona, watu wa Sotik wanakupenda sana. Kwa hivyo pia wewe endelea kuwapenda ili uhusiano huo mzuri udumu." (What I'm saying now is that as you see, the people of Sotik love you very much. So, you too, continue to love them so that this good relationship remains.)
Aggrey also added, "Sasa sijui, lakini mashemeji wetu ni watu wazuri sana. Angalia kama unaweza kuoa huko tena." (Now I don't know, but our in-laws are very good people. Look, can you marry there again?)
Abonyo has revealed that their marriage was not without challenges, including opposition from Laboso's family. He said, "Nakumbuka wakati nilitaka kumuoa Joyce, babake alipinga yeye kuolewa na mtu kutoka kabila lingine. Karibu ni tupe tamaa, lakini mama mkwe alinipa nguvu. Kama si yeye huenda hatungeoana." (I remember when I wanted to marry Joyce, her father opposed her marrying someone from a different tribe. We were almost giving up, but her mother-in-law gave us strength. If it wasn't for her, we might not have gotten married.)
