Raila condoles with family of late first elected female MP Grace Onyango

Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Friday visited the Late Grace Onyango's home to condole with the family.

Raila came to Kisumu directly from Migori county where they had just concluded their rally.

He was accompanied by Kisumu govenor Anyang Nyong’o, his deputy Mathew Owili, Jeremiah Kioni, and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi amongst other local leaders.

Odinga while eulogising her earlier said that Kenya had lost an icon in the death of Mama Grace

Mama Grace was Kenya's first female MP and Mayor.

Raila said Mama Grace brightened independent Kenya'

"Nyabungu as we fondly called her illuminated the independent Kenya political landscape with a stride of 'firsts'. It was common to expect 'the first African Woman something' every time her name was mentioned. She was a leader and trailblazer to the hilt."

He also described her as a fearless articulator of national issues and an astute defender of her roots.

Raila said she was also a lone voice of wananchi at a time when it was risky to stand up and be counted.

Mama Grace passed on aged 99.

She died at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital on Wednesday. She had been ailing.

She was Kenya's first woman mayor, elected in Kisumu in 1965.

Grace was the first woman to be elected MP, for Kisumu Town in 1969 and served until 1983.

She was also the first woman secretary general of the Luo Union (East Africa) and the first woman councillor of Kaloleni ward in Kisumu.

The teacher-turned-politician was also the first woman assistant commissioner of the Girl Guides Association and chairperson of the Child Welfare Society, Kisumu district