By Caroline Katana
On the shaded grounds of Msambweni Forest, a quiet revolution is brewing. Dozens of widows stand tall, not in mourning, but in power.
On International Widows Day, over 56 widow groups gathered in a bold show of unity, voice, and vision for a future where no widow in Kenya is left behind.
At the heart of this movement is Tuwajali Wajane, a homegrown organization founded by activist Mwanasha Gaserego.
What began as a small effort in Msambweni has now expanded to Lungalunga, thanks to a powerful partnership with the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) under the Jasiri Project.
“Today’s widow is not helpless. She knows her rights and how to fight for them,” declared Gaserego. “One of us is already in court pursuing land justice alone. That’s the power of knowledge.”
Tuwajali Wajane founder, Mwanasha Gaserego
Mapping the Unseen: Kenya’s Forgotten Widows
Gaserego and her partners are preparing to launch a countywide widow registration drive—a bold first in Kenya—aimed at counting, identifying, and elevating the status of widows in national statistics and policies.
“How do you fight for a group that isn’t officially recognized by policy?” she asks. “With real data, we can push for inclusion in county budgets and national development.”
Already, Tuwajali Wajane has received KSh 3 million from CCGD. Part of this has funded community justice training, economic empowerment, and legal support for widows battling gender-based violence. Children of widows are also back in school, thanks to the support.
“We’ve used KSh 619,500 to train paralegals, fund businesses for widows, and support court cases. It’s about dignity, not charity,” said Gaserego.
A National Crisis with No Name
Diana Kamande, founder of Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization and guest of honour, didn’t mince her words.
“We can’t build policies for people we don’t count. The last widow data was in 2019—only one million were documented. After COVID-19, that number has ballooned.” She said.
Kamande revealed that a Widows’ Rights Bill has been in the works since 2019, but politics have blocked its passage.
Women at the Msambweni Forest grounds during the International Day of Widows 2025
“When I asked Treasury why there’s no budget for widows, they said: ‘We don’t even know how many they are.’ That’s unacceptable,” She said.
Now, she’s urging Parliament to pass the bill as a private member’s motion, supported by two-thirds of Kenya’s leading NGOs, including CCGD and Equality Now.
Healing Beyond Grief: From Business to Sports
Kamande also announced a new initiative—sports for widows—designed to reduce stress and build peer networks.
“Exercise is therapy. It lowers anxiety, boosts mental health, and builds solidarity among women who’ve faced immense loss,” she said.
Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization founder, Diana Kamande
Meanwhile, a fresh injection of KSh 500,000 from the Fazil Chinoy Fellowship is helping Tuwajali Wajane reach even deeper into rural areas.
One beneficiary, Mwanasiti Bakari Dola, shared her success.
“We used part of the Jasiri grant to boost our food business and offer soft loans. We made a profit, joined a SACCO, and my child is enrolled in tailoring school.” She said.
The Bigger Picture: Changing Laws, Changing Lives
Vicky Kisilu, Kwale CCGD coordinator, said over 1,000 residents have already benefited from the Jasiri program since 2023.
“This started as a COVID-19 response for abused women. Now it’s a countywide empowerment movement. It runs until 2028.”
Salim Chidzuga, Communications Director at Kwale Community of Practice (KCOP), emphasized the group’s role in advocating for inclusive laws.
“When Kwale passed the Business Fund Act, it didn’t include women. We intervened. Now women sit in both county and grassroots committees,” he said.
Kwale Community of Practice communications director, Salim Chidzuga
KCOP also empowered women to tap into the 30% of government tenders legally reserved for them under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) law.
“Many didn’t even know they qualified. We’re changing that,” said Chidzuga.
Widowhood is not a tragedy, it’s a human rights issue. In Kwale, widows are demanding data, justice, policies, and space. From forest rallies to policy tables in Nairobi, their voices are growing louder.
As the 2029 national census approaches, the call is clear: Count Widows. Recognize them. Empower them. Africa cannot afford to leave its most resilient women in the shadows.
