First Lady Rachel Ruto on Monday led Kenya’s commemoration of the 21st International Widows’ Day witha strong message of assurance, dignity, and economic inclusion. Mama Rachel
Speaking at Buga Primary School in Nyamira County, the venue of this year’s national celebration, the First Lady affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to empowering widows across the country, reiterating opportunity, not exclusion.
“I am glad that the government of Kenya is making notable strides. Through the Hustler Fund and the county women’s enterprise programmes, more than 15,000 widows have received capital for business revival. Over 2,000 have received access to government procurement opportunities via AGPO certificates, enabling their full participation in national economic life,” she said.
“Economic empowerment alone is not enough. We must confront cultural practices that deny widows their basic dignity,” she urged, calling on communities to embrace and support widows instead of discriminating against them.
She encouraged widows to join self-help groups to access the wide range of economic empowerment funds already established under government frameworks from the ward to the national level.
“Ni vizuri kina mama tuweze kuingia katika vikundi, ili vikundi hivi viweze kuwahudumia. Serikali ina mipango mingi ambayo inaweza kusaidia akina mama. Tuingie vikundi na tusivunje vikundi,” she said
“Serikali yetu, inayongozwa na Rais William Ruto, inawajali wajane. Jambo muhimu kwa akina mama ni kwamba, ikiwa utasikia kwamba kuna jambo ambalo serikali inafanya, tafadhaliuweze kujihusisha na hilo jambo,” she added
She also called on the public to support widows personally and emotionally: “I want to encourage all of us that we can do something for our widows. We can support what the government is doing for our widows and orphans. You can give that extra thing you have in your house or your farm. Let’s also visit them in their homes,”
Addressing growing calls for a dedicated widow’s fund, the President’s Advisor on Women’s Rights, Harriette Chiggai, clarified that the government will not establish a separate fund but that widows should strategically align with existing state programmes.
“There has been a request for the government to establish a fund for widows. It is evident that there are already numerous funds that the government has established. All we need to do is align our programmes and activities with the various government funding models,” Chiggai said.
Nominated MP Irene Mayaka announced she will be seeking a formal statement in the National Assembly to obtain data on the number of widows in Kenya and establish a central database to support planning and budgeting.
“The only way tutahakikisha bajeti imeshughulikia mambo ya wajane ni kwanza kabisa tuwe na right numbers,” she said.
Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi added: “There is money meant for widows. We need to mentor our widows in every county and make sure they know how to grow their economies.”
Speakers and testimonies highlighted the challenges widows face immediately after losing their spouses, including social rejection, disinheritance, and loss of identity. Legal experts advised widows to secure legal documentation for property as soon as possible to avoid exploitation.
“In our societies, there are many widows who suffer in silence. Let us prioritize their issues to make a positive impact on their lives and transform their circumstances.” Marsabit Woman Rep Naomi Waqo said.
