Veteran politician, gender rights champion, and former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Muga Asiyo has died at the age of 93.
Mama Asiyo, as she was fondly known, passed away on Thursday in a hospital in North Carolina, USA, following complications from a stroke she suffered a few months ago.
Her son, Caesar Asiyo, confirmed her passing, saying the family was devastated. “She died while my brother and two sisters were by her side. It’s a deep loss for our family, and we ask Kenyans to mourn with us,” he said.
Born in 1932, Phoebe Asiyo broke barriers from the outset. Raised in a missionary setting in Karachuonyo, she defied societal norms by attending Gendia Primary School.
After a short teaching stint, she joined the Kenya Prisons Service, where she rose to become the first Kenyan woman Senior Superintendent, spearheading crucial reforms like gender-separated prisons and rehabilitation programs.
Mama Asiyo was not only a pioneer in public service but also a trailblazer in women’s leadership.
She became the first African woman to chair Maendeleo ya Wanawake, laying the foundation for grassroots women empowerment.
Her transition into politics was marked by her election as Karachuonyo MP in 1979, serving two non-consecutive terms until 1997.
Throughout her political life, she remained a steadfast advocate for women’s rights, education for girls, and gender equality.
She was the Chairperson of the Caucus for Women Leadership and represented Kenya in various international forums, including as Goodwill Ambassador for UNIFEM for 17 years.
In recognition of her national service, Phoebe Asiyo received several honors, including the Order of the Grand Warrior and the Chief of the Burning Spear, awarded by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 during the launch of her memoir It Is Possible.
A crowning moment of her cultural journey came in 2009 when she was installed as the first woman elder in Luo traditions—a rare honor in patriarchal Kenyan cultures.
She was adorned with traditional regalia including a ligisa (cap) and orengo (flywhisk), symbols of community belonging and leadership.
Phoebe Asiyo leaves behind a legacy of courage, conviction, and transformative leadership. She paved the way for women in politics and public service, inspiring generations with her enduring spirit.
She is survived by her husband Richard, and children Aseto, Caesar, and Dr. Mary Asiyo.
Rest in Power, Mama Asiyo.
