Former lawmaker, women’s rights icon Phoebe Asiyo passes away in U.S.

Renowned former lawmaker and champion of women’s rights, Dr. Phoebe Muga Asiyo, has passed away in North Carolina, United States, at the age of 93.

She was a significant figure in Kenya’s journey towards inclusive governance.

“With heavy hearts, we share the profound loss of our cherished mother, Dr. Phoebe Muga Asiyo. Her presence and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We kindly ask for your understanding and patience as we navigate this difficult time,” the Asiyo family confirmed in a statement.

Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced in due course.

Dr. Asiyo’s legacy is firmly established in Kenya’s political, social, and institutional development. At just 31, she made history as the first African woman appointed as Senior Superintendent of Women’s Prisons in 1963, just before Kenya’s independence. Earlier, in 1958, she became the first Black African president of the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO), five years after joining the movement.

She would go on to serve as Member of Parliament for Karachuonyo, where she championed gender equality, constitutional reforms, and human rights with unmatched resolve.

A true pioneer, Dr. Asiyo was also the first woman Elder among the Luo community, Kenya’s first goodwill ambassador to the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), and a Commissioner in the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC).

Her contributions did not go unrecognized. She was awarded honorary doctorates from Lehigh and York Universities and was conferred the Order of the Grand Warrior by the Government of Kenya.

In a heartfelt tribute, the Phoebe Asiyo Foundation described her as a woman who navigated both turbulent and triumphant times with “a rare balance of steel and grace.”

“Her presence illuminated every room—through her wit, wisdom, and relentless advocacy for humanity. Her life reflects a legacy of love and practical change. Serving her country was the golden thread woven through her life.”

Dr. Asiyo’s impact extended far beyond her titles and positions. She was widely celebrated for her courageous voice, commitment to community service, and role as a mentor to generations of women leaders. Her advocacy helped shape national discourse, particularly concerning women’s representation in politics, laying the groundwork for affirmative action and the two-thirds gender principle.

The Foundation further stated:

“Mama Asiyo’s memory dwells in every child whose tomorrow she defended, every woman whose voice she helped lift, and every family she touched with wisdom and love. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a life lived without boundaries—a life rooted in kindness, guided by justice, and dedicated to making the impossible possible.”

Even as her work took her to the global stage, Dr. Asiyo remained grounded in family. She was a devoted wife to the late Richard Asiyo for over 65 years, a loving mother, and a cherished sister and daughter.

“Her deepest joy was found in motherhood and the unity of kin. Her family were not only her steadfast supporters but also her inspiration throughout life’s journey,” the Foundation noted.