by Leeroy Wuone
contact info: leeroywuone02@gmail.com
{image by KenyaInsights}
The late Dr. Joyce Cherono Laboso defeated Isaac Kiprono Ruto to become the first female Governor of Bomet County in the 2017 general elections, running on a Jubilee ticket.
Dr. Joyce Laboso took over as the Member of parliament for Sotik constituency after the seat was left vacant following the death of her sister, Lorna Laboso, who died in a plane crash in 2008. In a famous old clip, former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, is seen in the very same Sotik constituency where the late Dr. Laboso hailed from, supporting her in campaigns having won the party nominations under ODM ticket.
Dr. Laboso was a woman of many firsts as she went ahead to become the Deputy Speaker in 2013, deputizing for the former Attorney General, Justin Bedan Muturi. She became the first woman from Bomet county to serve for two consecutive terms in Parliament, winning by majority vote round one. “The girl child should not expect anything from anybody at any time. You need to fight for your space to get trust from people, ’said Dr. Laboso in a public interview after winning the Bomet gubernatorial race.
We can indeed see that the late Dr. Joyce Laboso earned her trust over the years from Bomet residents since 2008.
Dr. Joyce Laboso is an example of many other women in the political space who put up a spirited fight against misogyny. Another example is in 2008 when the late Dr. Laboso was running for the Sotik parliamentary seat. Back then, she was referred to as “a Luo Lady” having found marriage outside of her birth community, the Kipsigis. They tried to portray her as a foreign person. This forced her to drop her husband’s surname, Abonyo, in favour of her own (Laboso) in order for her to keep her political career in guard. Her resilience and toughness enabled her to overcome this kind of misogyny.
The girl child can learn the art of resilience from Dr. Laboso. She was able to break the chains of tribalism, receiving a lot of support, in equal measure, by Sotik and Bomet residents. This challenges the girl child that she can rise above criticism amidst the male sea of people who propagate male chauvinism.
The late Dr. Laboso also went through some controversial moments while in leadership, for instance, with Mrs. Millie Odhiambo Mabona commonly known by her supporters as “Millo Gesa Gesa’’. She poured water on the late deputy speaker over the controversial 2014 Security Laws (Amendment) bill that would, among other measures, expand intelligence powers.
Several provisions would restrict the media from covering of terrorist acts in Kenya, potentially inhibiting journalists seeking to report on matters in the public interest from doing so. Furthermore, Isaac Ruto supporters and the Doctor clashed in Ruto’s homebase of Chepalungu constituency, Bomet county, during campaigns. Despite all this, the late Dr. Laboso believed she had what it took to be the first female Bomet governor.
Below are a few highlighted things that she did NOT fancy in a leader.
1.Abrasiveness in leadership, whereby a leader is over-controlling, overreacting, threatening juniors and/or humiliating other leaders publicly.
2. The girl child can learn not to be a chest thumping leader.
3. A good female leader should do more consultations with other leaders of her gender and the opposite gender.
4. “Do not be a know-it-all leader. When you speak, other people will listen to you. You should reciprocate the same amongst your constituents,” said the late Governor in one of her public appearances.
The late Dr Joyce Laboso left a very solid legacy and inspiration amongst the Kipsigis community, especially the girl child. She succumbed to cancer on July 29, 2019, at Nairobi hospital. She was buried at her home in Fort Tenan, Kisumu County on 3 August 2019.
Dr Joyce Laboso will be remembered for many more years to come.
Rest in Peace.
shujaa!
Very nice piece Leeroy
Joyce laboso was a leader and not a boss. Many lessons to be learnt from her. I enjoyed reading this piece