By Janet Nyamwamu
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka welcomed First Lady Rachel Ruto, EGH, to Bugo Primary School Grounds in Nyamira County for this year’s national commemoration of International Widows Day.
Held under the theme “Orphan in Need,” the event marked its 21st global observance and drew more than 5,000 attendees who included widows, government officials, clergy, educators, civil society groups, and grassroots women leaders.
“This day honours the lives, struggles, and triumphs of millions of widows across Kenya—women whose voices are too often silenced,” said Mogaka in his keynote address.
“West Mugirango will continue to be widow-centric and firmly oppose violations of widows’ rights in all their forms.”
Quoting the book of James 1:27, Mogaka emphasized that caring for widows and orphans is both a social duty and a spiritual imperative.
He decried cultural practices that marginalize widows, particularly in patriarchal settings, and pledged ongoing support for them within and beyond his constituency.
“In a society such as ours, chauvinistic customs still convince some that a husband’s death reverts all property to siblings or in-laws,” he said.
“It is not uncommon for widows to face verbal, physical, or even sexual abuse. Our society must never condone such injustices. Instead, let us embrace our widows with love, and provide them with moral and material support—as guided by our faith.”
In her address, First Lady Rachel Ruto urged widows to take advantage of existing empowerment programs under national and devolved structures.
She clarified that there were no immediate plans to establish a dedicated widows’ fund.
“Economic empowerment funds for women are available from the ward level up to the national level,” she said.
“We encourage women to join self-help groups, position themselves well, and access these opportunities for their growth.”
She noted that many women lack awareness or capacity to access these financial resources, calling on government agencies to invest in training and sensitization to help them navigate available funding mechanisms and break the cycle of poverty.
The First Lady also revealed her family’s personal commitment to supporting widows annually across the country.
Speakers at the event also addressed legal and administrative challenges faced by widows, especially in securing property after a spouse’s death.
Educators urged widows to formalize ownership of their late husbands’ estates to avoid disinheritance.
Nominated MP Irene Mayaka announced plans to seek a statement in Parliament calling for the creation of a national database of widows, citing data scarcity as a major barrier to effective policy and planning.
“We cannot plan without data,” Mayaka said. “Knowing how many widows we have, where they live, and what they need is key to informed legislation and support.”
She further proposed the formation of a national widows’ commission to address the specific rights and needs of widowed women across Kenya.