Bomet vigil to honour Governor Laboso, deputy to take over
Bernard Gitau, Lydia Nyanchwa and Felix Yegon @PeopleDailyKe
Residents of Bomet County will hold a special vigil tomorrow at Bomet Stadium in honour of Governor Joyce Laboso before her burial in Kadenge village, Muhoroni constituency on Saturday.
Energy Cabinet secretary Charles Keter, who heads the burial committee, said Laboso will be buried at her home in Fort Ternan in Koru, Muhoroni constituency, Kisumu county.
“The government, in consultation with family members, have agreed on the burial programme where the late will be interred,” he said.
Also Read:
Keter added that a requiem will be held tomorrow, August 1 at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi before her body is taken to Bomet for a night vigil.
“Bomet people will have a special vigil on Thursday to mourn and show their last respect for the late governor who they honoured by electing her,” he said.
He added that after the night vigil, a funeral service will be conducted on Friday in Bomet before her body is flown to Kisumu.
Laboso succumbed to ovarian cancer at the Nairobi Hospital on Monday. She died aged 58.
Her husband, Edwin Abonyo, confirmed the burial arrangements and extended a vote of thanks to the people of Bomet for electing her.
He revealed that his wife had battled cancer for a long time.
“She suffered for a long time but she decided to keep her battle with the disease low key. She did not want it to deter her duties. We can only be strong as it was her wish,” he said.
Luo Council of Elders chairman Ker Willis Otondi said: “It is our wish that Laboso is buried at her husband’s home in Kisumu county according to the Luo culture.”
Meanwhile, Bomet deputy governor Hillary Barchok will be sworn in as governor after Laboso’s burial. Bomet County Assembly Speaker Shadrack Rotich refuted claims making rounds that Barchok will be sworn in today.
Yesterday, the Assembly voted for an early recess to allow members to participate in funeral arrangement for the governor. Business will resume on September 10.
