Local leaders, members of the Luo Council of Elders, and family gathered at the village home of the late Dr. Phoebe Asiyo in Wikondiek, Homa Bay County, to mourn and honor her legacy in line with Luo cultural traditions.
Dr. Asiyo, the first female Member of Parliament for Karachuonyo, was remembered as a pioneer of women’s leadership in Kenya and a key figure in the country’s political evolution.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga described the late Asiyo as a matriarch and trailblazer whose contributions continue to shape the fight for gender equity in leadership.
“She has taught us and she has walked with us. She led with grace, with decency and quiet strength,” Wanga said.
“The gender rule we speak of today is because of the efforts she made while in Parliament. Maendeleo ya Wanawake, the giant women’s movement, has never quite been the same after her strong leadership,” she added.
Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome remembered Asiyo as a unifying leader who believed in peace and development.
“She loved peace, she loved development which are very important traits for any leader. I remember her for putting us together so that we can be a united Karachuonyo,” he said.
Her son Caesar Asiyo, overwhelmed by messages from across the world, said the global outpouring of grief speaks to the magnitude of her influence.
“Mum was dearly loved, a mother and mentor to many. We are hearing this from all over the world, voices of disbelief and grief, people weeping over the phone. It’s truly an honor for me to say I am Mama Phoebe Asiyo’s son,” he said.
The Luo Council of Elders, represented by Chair Nyandiko Ongadi, hailed Asiyo for her unwavering commitment to Luo culture and her role in guiding the council through her wisdom and counsel.
Dr. Asiyo passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in a hospital in North Carolina, United States at the age of 93.
She was first elected to represent Karachuonyo Constituency in Parliament in 1982, and re-elected a decade later in 1992.
