The late Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso's family has launched a global cancer education fund in her commemoration to mark the first anniversary since she died of cancer.
Laboso passed away on July 29 last year.
The fund was launched in collaboration with the Ethics and Integrity Institute.
“The late Dr. Joyce Laboso, the Governor of Bomet County, was a remarkable teacher, lecturer and politician. She had a colorful and practical career as a linguistics lecturer and the first female Member of Parliament to be elected Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly," Jacky Nyandeje, team leader at Ethics and Integrity Institute and a founding member of the fund, said.
Laboso's family in collaboration with Bomet county will on Wednesday hold an event to remember her.
Only a few guests are invited and Governor Hillary Barchok said strict health guidelines will be followed to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
In 2017, Laboso became one of the only three female elected governors.
"As we commemorate her first anniversary this 29th July 2020, we launch this fund to honour her immense contribution as a servant leader," Nyandeje said.
Dr. Joyce Laboso Global Cancer Education Fund’s (Dr. JLGCEF) mission is to solidify Kenya’s capacity on cancer treatment and management by sponsoring medical professionals who wish to specialise in oncology or cancer related areas to medical schools around the globe.
It aims to increase the number of oncologists from the current 35 to 1,000 by supporting 47 professionals from each of Kenya’s 47 counties annually.
Cancer is the third cause of death globally after cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Cancer is a killer that knows no class, age, race nor gender.
