The Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has brought together more than 1,200 from 10 counties for a prayer meeting in Nairobi.
The widows who are beneficiaries of her programs had a moment to share their journey of empowerment through the office of Pastor Dorcas in various programs in their respective areas.
The widows are from 10 counties of Transnzoia, Kajiado, Nairobi, Laikipia, Embu, Meru, Migori, Nakuru, Kilifi and Bomet.
Speaking during the meeting Pastor Dorcas encouraged the widows to stick together in their various groups that have been formed by her office for their economic empowerment.
“When I see 1,200 widows gathered here, it means these are 1,200 of my boy-children who have died and these are families without the covering of fathers.
Pastor Dorcas promised to continue walking with the widows on a journey of transforming their lives, a journey that has seen many involved in economic empowerment projects.
“The widows you see here have gone through challenges but together we can change their lives,” she said.
She shared her story of being brought up by a widow mother in Kiandutu slum in Thika, Kiambu County. She said there has been a collaboration of religious leaders in dignifying the lives of the widows across the country.
The chairperson of County First Ladies Alamitu Jattani (Marsabit) said the Muslim religion calls on the society to take care of the widows and orphans terming the initiative by Pastor Dorcas very noble to the society. Pastor Dorcas is working with county first ladies in most of her initiatives across the country.
The widows also got a chance to share their stories and the frustrations they went through when their husbands passed on. Some narrated how they were chased away from their matrimonial homes after the passing on of their husbands.
It was an emotional moment when Prudence Kai from Kilifi County recounted the memories of the death of her husband in 2012.The mother of two narrated how the family of her late husband disowned her.
“When my husband died his family disowned me. They said they had never seen me together with my two children. But through my Pastor Dorcas I have found a family, and a shoulder to lean on,” an emotional Prudence said.
Prudence now wants a law passed to assure widows get the inheritance once their husbands pass on. She said many of them have lost their land after their husbands pass on.
“Many in our county of Kilifi have lost their land after they have lost their husbands. We want a law that will ensure that the widows our land is protected and we get it as indicated by our husbands,” he said.
Prudence who is the chairperson of 12,000 widows from Kilifi County said this was the first time she had come to Nairobi ever since her husband died.
Widows program is one of the pillars under the office of the Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi. She has been involving them in various empowerment programs in their respective areas.
In many parts the widows have now formed groups that are aimed at helping them in their economic activities. The widows also received donations of foodstuff from Pastor Dorcas.
