 The late Lorna Laboso Death has robbed Kenyans of a robust woman politician and a bosom friend to many. Hon Lorna Chepkemoi Laboso was until the time of her untimely death the assistant minister for Home Affairs and the Member of Parliament for Sotik.
Ms Laboso died in a plane crash on June 10 in Narok together with the roads minister Hon Kipkalya Kones, his bodyguard Mr. Kenneth Bett and the pilot. She was laid to rest on Friday June 20.
Ms Laboso was the first woman elected MP among the Kipsigis community since independence and her success is likely to inspire more women to gun for the two seats left vacant following her death and that of Mr Kones who also hails from the community.
Although Rift Valley Province sent five women to Parliament following the 2007 elections, Ms Laboso was the lone representative from the South Rift. Other women MPs from the province are Dr Sally Kosgei (Aldai), Prof Hellen Sambili (Baringo North), Prof Margaret Kamar (Eldoret East), and Mrs Linah Kilimo (Marakwet East). Dr Kosgey and Prof Sambili are also cabinet ministers.
Popularly referred to as the “Tigress of the South Rift” after only five months after her stay in Parliament, Ms Laboso’s benevolence, humility and approachable attitude summed up the qualities which women are widely believed to bring with them to national leadership.
Her charisma and ability to mobilise grassroots support evoked memories of post-independence women leaders in Kenya such as Ms Grace Ogot and Ms Phoebe Asiyo before her.
While no names have been publicly floated in Sotik, Ms Laboso’s elder sister, Dr Joyce Laboso-Abonyo, is among the possible contenders. Ms Laboso’s leadership qualities were nurtured over time having been a member of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake, treasurer, Education Centre for Women in Democracy (ECWD) and convener, Bureti Women’s Regional Assembly with the Kenya Women Political Caucus.
Death has yet again given us a heavy blow. Lorna was a courageous leader always calling for amnesty on imprisoned youth following the post election violence.
Lorna had worked for the people of Sotik since 2001 despite narrowly loosing the election in 2002; she continuously worked for her people and had dedicated her time and attention to improving lives of the people of her constituency.
The plane carrying Laboso and Kones, a Cessna light aircraft, crashed into a building in Kajong'a market near Nairagie Enkare in Enoosupukia, Narok District,near Narok and the Masai Mara game reserve after taking off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi; they had been flying to Kericho in the Rift Valley to help with the organization of logistics for ODM candidate Benjamin Langat in the by-election that was scheduled to be held in Ainamoi Constituency on June 11. In addition to Kones and Laboso, the pilot and a security guard were killed.
President Mwai Kibaki sent his condolences and ordered flags to fly at half mast, saying that Kenya had "lost leaders of immense potential at their prime age and with a promising future." Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the ODM leader, said that it was a "sad moment"; believing that it was too late to delay the planned by-elections, he urged ODM supporters to use the by-elections as a tribute to Laboso and Kones by turning out to vote for the ODM's candidates.
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