The Widows Empowerment Program recently recorded a significant milestone during an engagement in Siaya County that brought together 157 widow groups from all 30 wards.
The event, hosted at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), was graced by Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Odinga, and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga- among other leaders.
Empowering Widows and Families
During the event, widows present received essential support, including rice, cooking oil, beans, sugar, and fruit tree seedlings, to address immediate household needs while promoting long-term food security and environmental conservation.
An additional KSh 11 million was also raised in support of program activities.
Also Read: Over 22,000 Widows Nationwide Benefit from Program Offering Houses and Financial Support
In speech, PS Omollo stressed the importance of dignity and recognition for widows, saying:
“It’s not just an act of charity, it’s about belonging, it’s about recognition, it’s about giving dignity to all the widows because when we do that, we also give dignity to all the orphans. I can relate very well with all of you because I lost my father when I was eight years old so my mother became a widow at a very young age but because of the community, because of the leadership, I’m here today and I’m very proud and that is why I feel privileged and proud to be associated with all the widows that are here and many more who did not have the opportunity to be with us here and we have discussed,” said PS Omollo.
Also Read: PS Raymond Omollo Tops List of Best-Performing Principal Secretaries in 2025 (FULL LIST)
On her part, Ruth Odinga described the program as a model that not only uplifts widows but also stabilizes households and secures the future of their children. She asked President Ruto to support the widows’ program too.
”As a Member of Parliament elected to champion the rights of women, I laud this initiative. The success of this program, measured by the tangible relief felt by our widows, serves as a blueprint for our national strategy. It is time to revisit the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) funding model. I urge President William Ruto to look into how the Executive can support NGAAF with more resources, specifically earmarked for widow empowerment. When we empower a widow, we stabilize a household and secure the future of our children,” said Ruth Odinga.
Over 22,000 Widows Nationwide Benefit from the Widows Empowerment Program
The program has impacted 22,620 widows in the country, helping them rebuild lives with dignity, security, and hope.
Children from widows’ families also get sponsorship to facilitate their studies in the universities. Currently, 601 needy students at Tom Mboya University are benefiting from the German Program initiative.
Beyond Siaya, the Widows Empowerment Program has expanded its reach nationally, now operating in Uasin Gishu, Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Embu, Meru, Nyeri, and Kakamega counties.
Rose Anyango, one of the program’s beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude to PS Raymond Omollo, comparing his generosity to that of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“As widows, we had nothing, but Raymond supports us today, continuing Raila’s spirit of helping people,” Anyango said.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
