Tributes
A space to honor and celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Hon. Phoebe Asiyo — through stories, memories, and reflections from those whose lives she touched and inspired.
BARACK OBAMA
To the Family of Mama Phoebe Asiyo:
I am saddened by the news of the passing of Mama Phoebe. She was an exceptional woman and a true advocate for her people. Her political career was defined by service and integrity, and she constantly strived for lasting development and growth. Long before I joined the political arena, I spent time with Mama Phoebe and learned from her not only about my own father's history, but also about Kenyan political history and culture. And I am grateful for all the support that Mama Phoebe gave my sister, Auma, in the development of the Sauti Kuu Foundation.
So, rest in peace, Mama Phoebe. You will be missed but not forgotten.
WOMANKIND KENYA (WOKIKE)
Tribute to Our Beloved Queen – Mama Phoebe
Mama Phoebe rose with purpose, chased her dreams relentlessly, and made unforgettable memories. Her potential was limitless. She was a selfless leader of integrity, under whose wings all women were treated equally, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Many of us are proud beneficiaries of her wisdom, guidance, and unwavering leadership.
My first encounter with Mama Phoebe was during the height of the women’s movement, when she was spearheading the struggle for equality and justice. She mentored us with respect, encouraged and supported us, and always offered thoughtful advice, guidance, and strategies to ensure that our agendas were not only heard but implemented. Her calmness, determination, courage, and extraordinary patriotism inspired everyone who worked alongside her.
Mama’s leadership was always above board, with plans thoughtfully designed to include women from different backgrounds and cultures. She believed that national pride was not found only in flags or slogans, but in the way we treat one another and uphold systems that serve all people equally. She often reminded us that systems rooted in patriotism, purpose, and integrity will always serve without bias, regardless of gender.
Despite her incredible achievements, she remained humble and unique, leading women to advocate for the rights of women and children. She embodied professionalism, compassion, and resilience—qualities we so desperately need in addressing the challenges facing women and children in Kenya and beyond. Her soft, gentle voice will forever ring in our minds, urging us to keep fighting for women’s rights, equality, equity, and representation in governance and leadership.
Mama Phoebe gave us hope, taught us to believe in values worth defending, and inspired us to act with courage. She left us physically, but her actions, principles, and love will always remain with us as friends, colleagues, and sisters in the movement. Thank you, lovely Mama, for babysitting me and Hon. Sophia, and for your steadfast support for WOKIKE. We will continue to strive to achieve the goals and vision you set for women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and children’s rights. We have not failed you—your values and aspirations remain in our hearts and prayers.
As we bid you farewell, we pledge to carry forward your legacy of resilience, love, and compassion. Your memory will continue to bloom in our hearts, reminding us of your unmatched strength and your lifelong commitment to the advancement of women.
Go well, beloved Mama.
By Irene Mureithi, CEO/Managing Trustee- Child Welfare Society of Kenya
Dr Phoebe Asiyo: A Legacy of Service to Children
If one were to crown a person as the embodiment of love, protection and unwavering concern for the welfare of Kenya’s children, Dr. Phoebe Muga Asiyo would wear that crown with unmatched grace. We honor and celebrate the life of a distinguished and devoted life member of Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK), colleague, and mentor. Dr Asiyo dedicated herself whole-heartedly to the Society’s mission to promote and secure the rights of children and vulnerable young persons, enabling them to realize their full potential.
She served as Chief Executive Officer of the Society from 1969 to 1980, having succeeded Pamela Mboya, who stepped down following the death of her husband, Thomas Joseph Mboya, on July 5, 1969. During this time, Mama Phoebe emerged as a towering figure in the field of child care and protection, playing a pivotal role in the development of childcare and protection systems in Kenya. Her leadership significantly increased the Society’s reach to vulnerable children.
Her deep commitment to orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children helped shape Kenya’s adoption and family-based care frameworks that laid the foundation for progressive child protection. She personally received children from across the country, addressed their needs, including helping to place some of them in families. She also served as Guardian Ad Litem (representing children interests in court) for many of them.
MUTHONI LIKIMANI
A tribute to my dear friend, Phoebe Asiyo
Phoebe and I have been friends for many, many years. She and I met in Nairobi in the 1950’s. We were both daughters of clergymen, and discovered that we shared very similar ideas, thus becoming good friends.
In 1957, I was awarded a scholarship from the British Council, to go and study in the United Kingdom. Before I travelled, Phoebe decided to host a farewell party for me at the Trade Unionists Hall in Starehe, and the guest of honor was the late Hon. Tom Mboya. Although she knew that my education, accommodation and travel costs would be fully covered by the British Council, she still felt it was not right for me to travel ‘empty-handed’, and therefore organized a fund raiser for me as well. I left Kenya, knowing that surely, I had a very good friend in her. Phoebe and I reconnected after I returned to Kenya, and continued our friendship.
When Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was released from Kapenguria, Phoebe and I organized a gathering to celebrate his release. The event was held at Jeans School, that would later be known as Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA), and is now The Kenya School of Government (KSG). Our guest list included regional visitors such as Mama Maria Nyerere, First Lady of Tanzania, Bibi Titi and Lucy Lamek, also of Tanzania, among very many others.
In both of our careers, we were exposed to the difficult plight of women, both in rural and urban areas. Phoebe had joined the Prisons Department, in charge of Women, where she came face to face with the hardships faced by women in various circumstances. I worked for the Kenya Dairy Board, where I trained women on nutrition, hygiene and life skills, and later the Kenya Broadcasting Services, (later Voice of Kenya (VOK)), as a producer of educational programs, for women and children. We would compare notes and experiences, and this is how we both found ourselves strongly entrenched in the women’s movement in Kenya. We were also both politically inclined, and although we both vied for parliamentary seats, she was more successful in this endeavor, than I.
Over the years, we worked very closely with other like-minded women, who included, Priscilla Abwao, Ruth Habwe, Grace Onyango, Margaret Kenyatta, Maggie Gonna, Rachel Mzera, Esther John, Hon. Grace Ogot, Jemimah Gecaga, and other leading lights such as Dr. Eddah Gachukia, Jane Kiano, Zipporah Kittony and Hon. Dr. Julia Ojiambo, to mention but a few.
The organizations we were involved with included the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO), National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK), Young Women’s Christian Alliance (YWCA), the Kenya Women’s Finance Trust (KWFT), and later we served together as founding members of the Pan African Women’s Organization (PAWO). Our work with these organizations gave us the opportunity to host local and international meetings and conferences here in Kenya. This work also gave us opportunities to travel together, both locally and internationally. Most recently, in 2018, we travelled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a PAWO meeting at the African Union, where we were the elder stateswomen representing Kenya among other older African women leaders like ourselves.
Phoebe was much more than a colleague to me; she was a very dear friend. On more than one occasion, Phoebe accompanied me to my family home in Kahuhia, Murang’a County, and I have had the opportunity to travel with her to her rural home. In the past few months, I have found myself thinking a lot about her and wondering when she will return to Kenya so we can check in on one another, and have a chat.
Hearing of her demise saddened me very deeply. It is hard to capture all that we shared and accomplished together in a few paragraphs. I will definitely miss her, but will always remember her.
May the good Lord comfort the Asiyo family at this very difficult time, and may her dear soul rest in eternal peace. Fare thee well, Phoebe, until we meet again.