Buyu brings together thousands of widows for end-year support drive

Kisumu West Member of Parliament Rosa Buyu brought together thousands of widows in Ojola for a vibrant end-of-year event aimed at restoring dignity, hope and social connection among women often left on the margins of society.

 The gathering, known as Widows’ Day, attracted far more participants than organisers had anticipated, with the crowd swelling well beyond initial estimates.

Buyu said the initiative was motivated by the festive season, a period she noted can be especially difficult for widows who frequently face economic strain, loneliness and neglect. 

She said the occasion was designed not only as a celebration, but also as a platform to listen to the women’s concerns, encourage them and offer practical support.

 “This season is about togetherness, yet many vulnerable people are forgotten. Today is about reminding widows that they matter and that they are not alone,” she said. 

Each widow received a food package containing three kilogrammes of rice and three kilogrammes of beans. 

Acknowledging the unexpectedly high turnout, the legislator said she had decided to extend the support to everyone present despite the financial strain.

 “There are more than 5,000 widows here. I don’t even know what the final cost will be, but leadership means stepping up when it matters. We will do it,” she said to loud applause. 

Beyond the immediate relief, Buyu outlined plans to support widows through long-term empowerment and organisation.

 She announced that widows would be mobilised into structured groups at sub-location level to make it easier to reach them with training, support programmes and advocacy initiatives.

 “We want widows organised into forums within each sub-location so that we can engage them in smaller, well-coordinated groups and support them more effectively,” she explained. 

Kisumu West has 23 sub-locations, each expected to establish a widows’ forum. 

According to the MP, while some informal groupings already exist, many lack structure and coordination, limiting their access to assistance. 

Religious leaders who attended the event offered spiritual guidance and counselling, encouraging the women not to equate widowhood with despair

They urged them to support one another and remain active participants in community life. 

Jane Sioles from Maseno was among the beneficiaries who expressed appreciation for both the material support and the recognition the gathering provided. 

“We are grateful for what we have received today. It gives us hope that more support can come. May God bless those who have remembered widows,” she said. 

Several women shared stories of resilience, describing how they survive through small-scale farming, caring for children and grandchildren, and navigating life without formal employment. 

For many, the event was more than a food distribution exercise, it was a rare moment of visibility, solidarity and reassurance. 

Buyu reaffirmed her commitment to keeping widows at the centre of development discussions in Kisumu West, saying meaningful change can only be achieved through organisation, empowerment and compassion.