Mama Ida Odinga, wife to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on Thursday narrated a story on how she met Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso's father in Sotik Constituency years ago.
Ida Odinga's story on how she met Joyce Laboso's father lights up memorial service
Mama Ida Odinga taught Dr Joyce Laboso at Kenya High School
Mama Ida Odinga narrates how she convinced Dr Joyce Laboso to join politics in 3 hours during her tribute at the All Saints Cathedral memorial service
Mama Ida had been given a chance to give her tribute as the departed Governor's former teacher at the Kenya High School.
Mrs Odinga took the chance to reveal how she would later meet the Governor's father, Fred Laboso, by chance and become close family friends.
Mama Ida Odinga narrates how she convinced Dr Joyce Laboso to join politics in 3 hours during her tribute at the All Saints Cathedral memorial service
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"At one time I was driving from Kisumu to my home in Migori and by the time I reached somewhere around Sotik, I had a puncture. I was driving a Peugeot 504 and they used to put the spare tyre somewhere under the car and for some reason I could not get the spare tyre out!
"As I was still looking, a man pulled up in his pick-up and ordered his driver to help me. He then told his driver to take the punctured tyre and have it fixed and he sent me to have a cup of tea at a hotel.
"But before I went, I decided to ask this gentleman who he is. And he told me he is Fred Laboso. I then asked him if he could be Joyce Laboso's brother. He said 'No! I'm her father'. To me he looked so young to be her father. And at that point I told him that I had been Joyce's teacher," she narrated, to the amusement of her listeners.
Mrs Odinga further narrated that Mr Laboso invited her to spend the night at his home and continue her journey the next day, which she obliged, beginning her friendship with the family.
Mama Ida Odinga narrates how she convinced Dr Joyce Laboso to join politics in 3 hours during her tribute at the All Saints Cathedral memorial service
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It took me 3 hours to convince Joyce to join politics - Ida Odinga
Mama Ida also revealed how she was able to convince Dr Laboso to join politics following the death of her sister Lorna Laboso.
"The day after we buried Lorna, I was at the Labosos home at 6am in the morning and my aim in going back to the Laboso home that morning was to convince Joyce to take over the seat of Lorna Laboso.
"It was not easy to convince her but I told her she had everything it takes. I reminded her that she had been a leader right from high school. She had the focus, determination, a very loving person, a woman of the people. Well, it didn't take me long, after three hours, Joyce was convinced that she could be an MP," Ida narrated.
Mama Ida lauded the departed Governor for her excellent leadership through all the posts she had held in her career in politics.
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