This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
Published on July 10, 2019, a day that will be etched in the memories of several widows who have been subjected to inhumane treatment by their in-laws.
It's a painful reality that many widows face, especially during the prime of their marriage. In most cases, the widows are mistreated and frustrated by their in-laws, leading to depression and a breakdown of their mental health.
Several widows have taken to social media to narrate their horrifying stories of what they've gone through in the hands of their in-laws from hell.
One such widow is Mercy, who lost her husband of three years through a tragic accident at his working place. She revealed how her in-laws took everything from her, including her only child, after burying her husband.
'I blame my naivety, I trusted them a lot. I even lived with them. But after my husband's death, reality dawned on me that I was bound for a rough journey,' Mercy said.
Another widow, Martha, met the love of her life in 2009 and when he introduced her to his family, she said they were warm. However, eight years into the marriage, they were blessed with four adorable children, but in February last year, the hand of death visited their family.
Francis passed away, and after the burial, Martha got to witness her in-laws' true colours. They demanded she hand over documents of properties she owned with her husband. Although she took them to court and court issued injunction orders, Martha said she still doesn't feel safe.
'It has been frustrating. I cannot visit my husband's grave because I cannot step there. We are now living as bitter enemies just because of properties, which we will all die and leave in this world,' Martha said.
Another widow, Claire, lost her husband Mwaniki after being together for two years. He collapsed in his office and died on the spot. Prior to his death, the couple had a minor disagreement over whether they should build a house at the rural home or on land they had bought somewhere else.
Claire, who always confided in her in-laws and even told them about the disagreement, was later accused of killing Mwaniki.
'They said I killed my husband so I could inherit the land we had bought. I could not take in the pain of losing a husband and being accused of killing him. It was too much for me,' Claire said.
