Government moves to empower widows, tackle GBV and drug abuse in Nyeri

National celebrations to mark International Widows Day 2025 were held at Kiamuiru Catholic Church grounds in Gatitu-Muruguru Ward, Nyeri county, with top government officials pledging economic empowerment, policy inclusion, and protection of vulnerable groups, including widows, street children and victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Gender, Culture, and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hannah Wanjira Wendot led the event, revealing shocking statistics about widowhood and mental health challenges in the country.

“According to the 2019 national census, Kenya had over eight million widows. By that time, I had not even been counted since I lost my husband in April that year,” said the CS.

She added that in Nyeri County alone, 58 women had been widowed between November 2024 and June 2025 after their husbands died by suicide, leaving behind orphaned children.

“This is not just a statistic; it is a wake-up call. We must address mental health, economic pressures, and the silent suffering in our homes,” she emphasized.

The CS pledged the government’s commitment to uplifting widows economically through targeted programmes and budgetary allocations.

“As a Ministry, we will ensure widows are factored into the national budget so they can access available resources and funding opportunities,” Wendot said.

Wendot also touched on the plight of street families, revealing that Kenya currently has 46,000 street children.

“Even if you belong to a street family, you are a Kenyan. You deserve the best from this government. We are committed to helping them access education, rehabilitation, and family reintegration,” she said.

On GBV and cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Wendot called for a national reckoning.

“We must have a conversation and say, enough is enough. As women of this country, we must rise up and reject FGM and all forms of violence against women and girls,” she said.

Gender Principal Secretary Ann Wang’ombe, Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, and Nyeri Town MP Maina Mathenge were among those in attendance.

Mukami urged widows not to give up: “When you empower a woman, you empower a family and a nation. I encourage widows to form self-help groups to access funds like NGAAF, Women Enterprise Fund, and Uwezo Fund.”

Mathenge decried rising cases of GBV, suicide, and rape.

“My fellow men, these numbers are scary. We must talk openly and act before more lives are lost,” said the lawmaker.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s administration has launched the County Widows Sacco, which currently holds Sh3.8 million, and adopted a gender policy aimed at streamlining approaches to gender issues.

Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi also used the platform to declare a crackdown on drug abuse.

“The sale and consumption of bhang is rampant in Nyeri. We will intensify the war against drugs and call on the community to support the effort,” Mwiwawi said.