TRIBUTE: Tribute from the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) to Hon. Dr. Phoebe Muga Asiyo.
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Comms TeamThe Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) joins the nation and the global women’s movement in mourning the passing of Hon. Dr. Phoebe Muga Asiyo (1932–2025), a towering trailblazer whose life’s work transformed the landscape of women’s rights and leadership in Kenya, inspiring us to continue her legacy.
The honourable Asiyo’s legacy is deeply interwoven with FIDA-Kenya’s mission of advancing the social, political, economic, and human rights of women and girls. As the first African President of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) in 1958, she steered the organisation toward economic empowerment, better farming practices, maternal healthcare, and women’s political participation. Her leadership marked the dawn of organised women’s advocacy in post-colonial Kenya.
Hon. Asiyo became the first African Woman Senior Superintendent of Kenya’s women’s prisons (1963), introducing reforms that safeguarded the dignity of women prisoners, including access to sanitary products and gender-sensitive rehabilitation programs. It is because of these reforms that organisations like FIDA-Kenya continue to work with women’s prisons, promoting the inmates’ legal, psychosocial, and human rights.
FIDA-Kenya worked closely with Hon. Asiyo in the 1990s, a period marked by a renewed wave of political activism following the return of multiparty politics. Women’s groups, parliamentarians, and organisations like FIDA-Kenya pushed for greater female representation and gender equality. Hon. Asiyo, as chairperson of the Kenya Women Political Caucus, led these efforts, with FIDA-Kenya playing a central role in shaping the advocacy agenda across all sectors.
Under her leadership, the women’s movement emerged as a powerful force for political reform, despite facing significant resistance from the government. Though women’s representation in elective positions remained limited during that decade, the groundwork laid by the Caucus and allied organisations paved the way for future progress.
Later, FIDA-Kenya collaborated with Hon. Asiyo on the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC), where her strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in championing a constitution that reflected the needs of all Kenyans. Hon. Asiyo’s influence during this era affirmed her status as an astute and natural leader.
In Parliament, where Hon. Asiyo served as Karachuonyo MP (1979–1983, 1992–1997), she relentlessly championed gender equality. Her historic Affirmative Action Motion of 1997, though defeated, laid the foundation for the two-thirds gender rule enshrined in the 2010 Constitution. To date, FIDA-Kenya has been relentless in pushing for the full realisation of the two-thirds gender principle. Her advocacy extended to fighting harmful cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), protecting widows from disinheritance, and advancing women’s education and leadership.
Hon. Asiyo’s influence extended beyond Kenya’s borders. As the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Goodwill Ambassador (1988–1992) and a Commissioner on the Constitution Review Commission (2001), she worked to shape legal and policy reforms that uplifted all women and marginalised communities. She mentored generations of women leaders through the Caucus for Women’s Leadership, demonstrating that the advancement of women is the advancement of society.
Though not a formal member of FIDA-Kenya, Hon. Phoebe Asiyo was a steadfast supporter of the organisation during its formative years. She walked closely with our founding members, offering guidance and mentorship at a time when the women’s movement faced deeply entrenched societal challenges. Whether it was navigating complex court cases or tackling pressing advocacy issues, Hon. Asiyo was always present with wise counsel and constant support. Her interventions were not only timely but often led to meaningful breakthroughs for the organisation.
FIDA-Kenya salutes Mama Asiyo for a lifetime of service that broke barriers, inspired change, and paved the way for countless women and girls. Her voice, ideals, and victories will forever resonate in the work we do to protect and advance the rights of women. Her memoir, “It Is Possible: An African Woman’s Reflections on a Life-Long Political Journey”, remains a testament to her courage, vision, and unwavering belief in women’s agency. Her legacy continues to inspire us and gives us hope for the future of women’s rights.
Rest in Power, Mama Phoebe. Your legacy lives on, and your absence is deeply felt by all of us, your daughters. We are united in our grief and in our commitment to continue the work you started.
FIDA-Kenya extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Nancy Baraza for sharing invaluable historical insights that have greatly enriched this tribute to Hon. Dr. Phoebe Asiyo.
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