Josephine Wainaina has struggled since her husband's death in 2008 to support her two children. Bishop EllyJoy Moi of Holy Well of Bethel church in Limuru urges the government to enact specific policies protecting widows from abuse, property dispossession, and mental health challenges.
Josephine Wainaina, now 53, lost everything after her husband's death in 2008. “I lost everything. We left where we were living and started life anew,” she says. She took on odd jobs to feed her two children, while many widows in Kenya silently face similar hardships, including eviction from homes, denial of property, and family isolation, according to Bishop EllyJoy Moi of Holy Well of Bethel in Limuru. “Many are chased from home, left with nothing yet still must raise children. Some hide in alcohol or even reach the point of attempting suicide due to mental turmoil,” the bishop states. Through his church, he runs a program providing basic food items like flour, oil, sugar, and beans, along with psychological support. Psychologist Yuvinalis Momanyi, who collaborates with the church, explains, “Widows go through different stages, and without help, they can sink deeper into grief or face societal rejection.” Recently, over 80 widows traveled to Mombasa for a week-long holiday organized by the bishop, where they swam, laughed, and rebuilt hope. Bishop Moi emphasizes the need for government policies on property inheritance, mental health, and economic empowerment, including dedicated lawyers and doctors.