The mentor who shaped a governor: Women politicians honour Phoebe Asiyo's legacy

The dusty road to Wikondiek Village, in Homa Bay County, has witnessed many political pilgrimages over the years, but none quite as transformative as the one Gladys Wanga made 13 years ago. Fresh-faced and ambitious, the future Homa Bay Governor was about to seek guidance from a woman whose political wisdom would reshape her destiny—the late Phoebe Asiyo, former Karachuonyo MP.

Today, as Governor Wanga sits at the apex of Kenyan politics as both the first female governor in Nyanza and national chairperson of ODM, she owes her meteoric rise to the guidance she received from Asiyo. It's a debt she acknowledges with deep reverence.

A mentorship born from bold ambition

Wanga's political journey began in 2013 when Kenyans were preparing for their first election under the new constitution. Having participated in politics during her university years, she felt called to seek an elective seat and represent her people in Homa Bay. The newly created woman representative position—reserved exclusively for women—presented the perfect opportunity.

But ambition alone wasn't enough. "I was fresh in elective politics and did not know a lot of things. I started by making friends and building political networks," Wanga recalls.

Facing a formidable opponent in Roseline Onyuka, the former Nyanza provincial education director who was older and more experienced, Wanga knew she needed strategic guidance. Her first stop? The home of Phoebe Asiyo in Wikondiek Village.

"My main opponent then was Roseline Onyuka, who was older than me. She was a friend of Mama Phoebe Asiyo, and this became a big challenge for me," Wanga explains.

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What happened next reads like political destiny. During their conversation, Asiyo asked about Wanga's family. When Wanga mentioned her father, a former councillor in Kisumu, something clicked.

"A lot of people do not know my mother, and I was surprised when Mama Asiyo told me that she knew her. From that moment, she agreed to support me," the Homa Bay County boss remembers.

The two women became instant friends, marking the beginning of a mentorship that would span nearly a decade.

Armed with Asiyo's blessing, Wanga's next stop was the Kenya Literature Bureau, where she met Eve Obara, who then served as managing director at the books publisher. During their discussions, Wanga announced her political ambitions and sought support from Dr Obara.

"She gave me some books which we were able to distribute to local schools," Wanga says.

Relying on these new friendships and strategic alliances, Wanga won the 2013 election and was elected woman representative for Homa Bay. Her political ascent was swift—in 2015, she became the first ODM Chairperson for Homa Bay and the first woman chairperson of the Finance and National Planning Committee of the Kenya National Assembly.

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As the 2017 election approached, Wanga made another pilgrimage to Wikondiek Village, but this time she wasn't alone. Dr Obara, who had retired from KLB and was seeking a parliamentary seat in Kabondo Kasipul, accompanied her.

The dynamic had shifted beautifully. Asiyo asked Wanga—now a seasoned politician with five years of experience—to guide Dr Obara, who was new to elective politics.

"When I first met Dr Obara, she was my senior and I sought help from her. Five years later, she came to me as her senior in politics and sought my advice," Wanga reflects on this remarkable role reversal.

Prophecy fulfilled

By 2022, as Wanga campaigned for the governor's seat, Asiyo attended one of her meetings and expressed confidence that she would deliver to the people of Homa Bay as governor. Wanga was indeed elected as the first female governor in Nyanza, marking a significant milestone in her political career.

"It was as if she gave a prophecy. Her words have been fulfilled," the governor says.

Dr Obara credits Asiyo with inspiring her own political journey.

"We always sought her help. She always wanted to see a woman governor, and Gladys Wanga made her achieve her dream. She died knowing that women are in a good place," the legislator explains.

On Sunday, Wanga and Dr Obara joined other leaders in mourning Asiyo during a tribute event, where she was remembered as someone who believed in grassroots power and had great ideas.

Honouring the trailblazer

As a sign of honour, the late Asiyo will be awarded the title "sulwe mar nyinam" (star of the lake region women) during the third edition of "Sigand Nyinam" (story of daughters of the lake) in Siaya this December. The annual event brings together women leaders from Nyanza to discuss issues affecting women and teenage girls.

Asiyo had earned the title "nyanam ma ratego" (strong woman) during the second edition of Sigand Nyinam in Migori last year.

Leaders described Asiyo as someone who was not afraid to knock on doors and would encourage women to seek elective positions. Maendeleo ya Wanawake National Treasurer Susan Owuno said Asiyo did not sit on ideas that she believed would impact the lives of women and solve their problems.

"Her legacy should encourage women to work together," she emphasised.

Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma highlighted Asiyo's inclusive approach: "She was not tribal as she backed all women who sought help from her. Women should buy her book to get more information about what she did. It will inspire them."

Other leaders mourned her as a soft-spoken person with a lot of wisdom, someone who used her networks effectively, even transforming enemies into allies.

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