Siaya County Assembly has been urged to hasten the passage of a widows’ protection Bill that is pending before it.
According to the Gem West member of the County Assembly, Susan Okwiri Nyamawira, the Bill will give widows in the county a new lease of life as it is set to pave way for them to enjoy full rights, including the right to own land and other property.
She was speaking at Nyaharwa in West Ugenya ward, Ugenya Sub -County where she joined area widows for a new year party cum widows’ rights sensitization forum.
The MCA, who was flanked by her nominated colleague, Anne Wanzila Osoo, lamented that for decades, women who lose their spouses have been looked down upon and end up losing their husbands’ inheritance to unscrupulous in laws who end up throwing them into poverty.
“The bill that is pending before the assembly will ensure that the government look into various issues affecting widows such as the welfare, housing and the right to own property, including those left behind by the deceased husbands” she said.
Nyamawira called on her colleagues in the Assembly to prioritise the bill once the House resumes business.
Her sentiments were supported by the widows, led by Florence Aoko and Elizabeth Wanjiku who said that widows are forced to endure a lot of sufferings once they lose their husbands.
They expressed hope that this will end once the bill is enacted into law.
By Philip Onyango
