First Lady Rachel Ruto on Monday led the national observance of the 21st International Widows’ Day in Nyamira County, delivering a resolute call for dignity, inclusion, and economic empowerment of widows across the country.
Addressing thousands gathered at Buga Primary School, Mama Rachel praised recent government strides in empowering widows through access to capital and procurement opportunities. “Over 15,000 widows have received capital through the Hustler Fund and county women’s enterprise programmes, and more than 2,000 are now AGPO-certified,” she noted.
However, she emphasized that financial inclusion alone is insufficient without addressing harmful cultural norms. “We must confront practices that deny widows their basic dignity,” she said, urging communities to support rather than stigmatize widows.
Encouraging widows to join self-help groups to access government funding, she said: “Serikali ina mipango mingi ambayo inaweza kusaidia akina mama. Tuingie vikundi na tusivunje vikundi.”
The First Lady also appealed for personal acts of solidarity: “Let’s visit widows. Let’s give what little extra we have. It’s not just about policy—it’s about presence.”
President’s Advisor on Women’s Rights Harriette Chiggai ruled out a separate widow’s fund, urging better alignment with existing programmes. Meanwhile, Nominated MP Irene Mayaka pledged to push for national data on widows to inform policy and budgeting.
Nyamira Woman Rep Jerusha Momanyi called for grassroots mentoring, while Marsabit MP Naomi Waqo urged prioritization of widows’ issues: “Let us transform their circumstances.”
The commemoration, filled with testimonies and expert advice, spotlighted the systemic barriers widows face—and Kenya’s resolve to dismantle them.
