Former Member of Parliament (MP) Phoebe Asiyo has died.
The Asiyo family confirmed her passing through a statement, announcing that she peacefully passed away in North Carolina, USA.
"Asiyo was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew her," the statement read in part.
Dr. Phoebe Asiyo held a remarkable place in Kenya’s political history as a trailblazer for women’s rights and gender representation in governance.
She was first elected as the MP for Karachuonyo in 1982, becoming one of the few women to occupy such a position at a time when female political leadership was rare.
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She was best known for her tireless advocacy for gender equality and for pushing for the two-thirds gender principle, which later became a cornerstone of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
The two-thirds gender rule stipulated that no more than two-thirds of any elected or appointed public body could be of the same gender.
It was introduced to address historical imbalances and ensure broader inclusion of women in decision-making.
Although the full implementation of the rule has faced legal and political challenges, Dr. Asiyo’s efforts laid the groundwork for ongoing initiatives aimed at achieving gender parity in leadership.
Despite the rule's constitutional backing, Kenya has struggled to enact enabling legislation, a challenge that has drawn criticism towards Parliament.
However, legal experts have clarified that the broader State, Comprising Parliament, the Executive, the Judiciary, and constitutional commissions, is obligated to implement the rule.
Beyond her parliamentary role, Dr. Asiyo was a respected elder stateswoman, human rights defender, and community leader.
Her contributions extended beyond Kenya’s borders, earning her recognition across the continent and globally in forums focused on gender, development, and governance.
