This archive report was first published on 30 June 2021.
On International Widows Day, Public Service and Gender Chief Administrative Secretary Linah Jebii Kilimo announced plans to formulate policies to directly benefit widows from economic empowerment funds.
The funds, including the Women Enterprise Fund and National Government Affirmative Action Funds, will be made accessible to the vulnerable group without hitches, according to Ms Kilimo.
Speaking at the event in Kilifi South Constituency, Ms Kilimo emphasized the need to end the discrimination society has subjected widows to, saying, "We are engaging our Members of Parliament to come up with laws that will protect and see them access national funds."
"We are engaging our Members of Parliament to come up with laws that will protect and see them access national funds," she said. Ms Kilimo also challenged county governments to come up with policies that will give widows priority, adding, "County governments should ensure widows access all funds without hindrances and get bursaries and other scholarship support for their children." "County governments should ensure widows access all funds without hindrances and get bursaries and other scholarship support for their children," said Ms Kilimo. Over 9,500 widows from the Hope and Dreams Organisation in Kilifi County attended the event, led by Patricia Loko from Bandara Salama village in Chonyi. They decried discrimination from the county and national government in economic empowerment. Ms Loko shared the struggles of many widows, saying, "Majority of widows were kicked out by their late husband's families and currently lead miserable lives, struggling to fend for their children." Prudence Kai, a widow and founder of Hope and Dreams Organisation, emphasized the need for special treatment due to the challenges faced by widows, saying, "Being a widow has become a human right concern but because of our vulnerability, we have become political tools that politicians only look for during campaigns." "Being a widow has become a human right concern but because of our vulnerability, we have become political tools that politicians only look for during campaigns," said Ms Kai. Ms Kai called on First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to initiate programs to support widows and urged the government to come up with policies that will help widows claim their rights when their husbands die.
