Widows
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has assured widows in the county of government support to improve their welfare and safeguard them against any form of oppression.
Governor Barasa said one of the major challenges widows encounters is being denied the right to inherit land from their deceased husbands leaving them struggling to fend for their families. He vowed to support widows to be recognized in land succession matters as he outlined projects to be undertaken by the county government to improve their livelihoods.
Speaking during the International Widows Day fete in Kakamega on Sunday, Governor Barasa said in July this year, the county government will launch an ambitious economic empowerment programme targeting widows. Among the projects to be initiated is distribution of small stock that include chicken to replace the One-Cow Initiative which he said is costly.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa during cake cutting to celebrate widows in the county. Photos by Hidaya Manya/KNA.
He also urged widows to take advantage of the county government’s Sh50 000-grant support to groups to fund income generating activities. “We shall ensure widows are the priority recipients of these funds as we focus on their economic empowerment,” the governor noted.
Governor Barasa said the county government will continue with the Shelter Improvement project that involves construction of 360 houses yearly for vulnerable community members.