Mama Grace Onyango, who was the first female MP and mayor in Kenya dies aged 99

 

Mama Grace Onyango, who was the first female MP and mayor in Kenya, passed away at the age of 99.

Wednesday was the day she passed away at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, as family members announced.

The famous lady had been suffering from a prolonged illness. She was elected Kisumu's first female mayor in 1965, making her Kenya's first female mayor overall.

Grace became the first woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament. She was elected to represent Kisumu Town in 1969 and served in that capacity until 1983.

Moreover, she became the first woman to hold the position of secretary general of the Luo Union in East Africa, as well as the first woman to hold the position of councillor for the Kaloleni ward in Kisumu.

The former educator turned legislator also served as the first woman to hold the positions of assistant commissioner for the Girl Guides Association and chairwoman for the Kisumu area of the Child Welfare Organization.