Grace Onyango, Kenya’s first female MP dies at 99

The first female Member of Parliament in post-independence Kenya Grace Onyango is dead. She was 99.

Onyango died on Wednesday evening at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), following a long illness.

Yesterday, her daughter Pauline Akwacha said her mother had been ailing for many years.

Onyango started her political career as first Kenyan female mayor of Kisumu in 1965.

Four years later, she was elected Kisumu Town MP in 1969, becoming the first and only woman MP in the House at the time.

She also had the distinction of serving as the first woman MP to act as temporary Speaker.

ODM leader Raila Odinga, MPs, clergy, elders and other leaders from Nyanza paid their tributes to the leader.

“She was a great politician who defied male chauvinism to venture into male dominated fields. We have lost a great woman liberator and fighter,’’ said Raila who has been one of the frequent visitors to Onyango’s home in Kisumu’s Tom Mboya estate.

Glass ceiling

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o described the former MP as a woman of substance.

“Nyabungu, as we know her, was a pillar of women leadership and a great role model. She was a trailblazer in political leadership in Kenya,’’ said Nyong’o.

“She broke the glass ceiling long before the country started active campaigns for gender parity. Grace was selfless, brave and visionary,” added Nyong’o.

Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga and Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu said Onyango was their hero. From her, they lawmakers said, they had learnt courage and resilience. “I have lost a mentor and advisor,’’ said Buyu.

She said that Onyango had encouraged her to fight on and never lose hope after her first attempt to become MP failed.

Ms Odinga termed her as an epitome of hope and faith in politics who would never look back even in tough times.

Health ambassador

She said that despite her advanced age and failing health, she was always full of faith and hope.

“I am humbled by her humility and courage and in her footsteps we will grow,’’ said Ms Odinga.

Early this year, President William Ruto’s daughter Charlotte Ruto visited the family.

The newly refurbished Kisumu Social Centre has been renamed Mama Grace Onyango social centre by Governor Nyong’o. The centre has been playing host to a number of social events.

She was recently honoured by being named health Ambassador by African Health Experts and activists. Onyango was the founder of Grace Onyango Foundation for Digital Health in Africa.

Born on June 26, 1924, the former MP, who was popularly known as Nya’Bungu, had a strict diet to thank for her longevity. Onyango was an advocate for good eating practices.

Akwacha recalled that her mother had told them that anyone who expects to live for long must mind their diet.

She encouraged people to eat food that include an abundance of plant products like grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans.

For her, eating less meat, poultry and dairy was the secret of living long.

Her daughter said Onyango also ate traditional vegetables and fruits in abundance.