Leaders mourn Kenya’s first female MP aged 99
By Dickson Odhiambo
March 9, 2023
Leaders mourn Kenya’s
first female MP aged 99
Leaders across the Political divide have mourned the
untimely demise of the Kenyan First Female Member of Parliament who died
yesterday in Kisumu at around 99 years.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o has described the late
Mama Grace Onyango as a greatest icon of their time.
Nyong’o in his message of
condolence to the Newsrooms says Mama Grace, a woman of many
first, passed on last evening, only a few hours after she was celebrated and honored
during this year’s International Women’s Day at a social center that was
renamed after her.
“Nyabungu, as
we knew her, was a pillar of women leadership and a great role model who blazed
the trail in political leadership in Kenya. She broke the ceiling in
leadership long before the country started the campaigns for gender parity,”
Nyong’o says
Governor
Nyong’o has described her as selfless, focused, brave and visionary, adding
that she has been a mother and grandmother to many and will be remembered for
mentoring girls and young women leaders.
“It is only
last week when I visited her at her home in Kisumu. We joked and discussed many
issues affecting our country today. Her
death, on the International Women’s Day is as remarkable as it is confounding. On behalf my
family and the people of Kisumu County, I send heartfelt condolences to the
Mama’s family, friends, relatives and the womenfolk across Kenya for losing a
leading light,” Nyong’o adds.
Kisumu
Senator Prof Tom Ojienda has described the death of Mama Grace as a big blow to
the country.
Ojienda says the
country has lost a matriarch who dedicated her time to serve the people at a
time women leadership was really overlooked.
The Kisumu
Senator says the late Mama Grace has left a rich legacy setting stage for women
in leadership to emulate and walk in her path.
“Kisumu
County and the Country as a whole will really Miss Mama who left a mark in a
range of areas including education, health and women empowerment programs,”
Prof Ojienda says.
Kisumu West
Member of Parliament Rosa Buyu has described her as a trailblazer, adding that
she has set many paces for women of this country.
Kisumu
Central Member of Parliament Dr. Joshua Oron who is on an official duty outside
the country has said Mama Grace has been a real icon in this country right from
early 60s.
Mama Grace
Onyango first entered Parliament in 1969 during the General Election of that
year thereby becoming the first woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament
in the Country representing Kisumu Town.
She had
earlier served as the first woman Mayor of Kisumu Municipality taking over from
Aldamarn Mathews Ondiek who died in 1965 shortly after taking office.
She also
served as temporary Deputy Speaker becoming the first woman to occupy such a
seat.
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