“I was raised in a humble background in a family of four, being the second born. My parents struggled to raise us as they did not have decent jobs; they were doing blue-collar jobs. Despite the struggles, I was able to finish school. By the time I completed my education, I had already blossomed into a beautiful lady and met a gentleman with whom I fell in love. Eventually, we got married and we were blessed with two beautiful daughters. I enjoyed my marriage until the day my husband turned into a murderer and attempted to kill our entire family. He struck me on the forehead with a sword, cracking my skull. He then tried to kill our children, but his mission did not succeed as good Samaritans came to our rescue. Finally, my husband committed suicide. I spent two months in the hospital recovering from this Gender-Based Violence. While in the hospital, I received text messages accusing me of being responsible for my husband’s death. These words hurt me deeply as I never expected such accusations. This made me a young widow, and I experienced stigma and disinheritance. It made me realize the struggles that widows are going through in our country, as I was able to connect with many widows.

I’m the Founder of Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization. I survived Domestic Violence and became a Widow at a very young age and this is how my passion to create a platform for women like myself was born. I have been an Independent Board Director at the Anti-FGM Board since February 2020. I trained as a Teacher from 2005 to 2006 at PET Williams ECD College & later joined UoN in 2015, Africa Women Studies Centre, and Studied Governance and Women in Leadership (Diploma). In 2017, I joined African Nazarene University and studied Governance, Peace, and Conflict Studies (BA). I’m currently pursuing my MA in Community Development at Pan African Christian University. I have also pursued other short-online courses like; Cases in Gender- European University of Luxembourg, Women in Leadership- Havard University, Foundations of Gender Equity and Gender and Organization-Digital Frontier Institute (DIG).

Since I founded Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization, I have been able to wholeheartedly steer the organization with passion, dedication, and commitment towards building a brighter future where widows are not just survivors but thriving contributors to society. Through the organization, I have reached out to many widows with a focus on Empowering them Socially, Legally, and Economically because I believe Empowerment not only improves their lives but also advances the broader cause of Protecting and Safeguarding their Rights.

Later in 2015, I was able to present the issue of Widows and shared the statistics of Widows with the then Principal Secretary-State Department for Gender who welcomed and supported the Widows Agenda and included it in the Gender Main Streaming Directorate. In 2016 I brought the International Widows Day issue to the Kenyan Government and since that year we have celebrated 8 International Widows Day in Kenya.

I was able to start a platform known as Pre-Valentine’s Dinner which we host annually to allow widows to share a meal, and embrace each other as they feel loved, valued, and cared for. The platform is also meant to offer opportunities to State and Non-State actors so that they can listen to the Plight of Widows in Kenya.

I have been invited to various platforms to represent the Widows Agenda internationally and out of the CSW representations we were able to draft the Resolution Addressing Widowhood together with other international Non-State Actors which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2022 March during the CSW with the presence of our former Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Prof. Margaret Kobia.

I was awarded a Head of State Commendation in 2018 by Former Head of State Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta during International Women’s Day in March 2022. I have received many other Local and International Awards for my passion for ensuring the Widows Agenda is on several decision-making Tables. I have represented the Anti-FGM Board Kenya on several platforms to talk about the Harmful Practices of Female Genital Mutilation with a focus on ensuring the Safety and the Protection of Women and Girls Dignity in Kenya.

I am the Author of a book titled Scars of Honor that has uplifted and encouraged many widows through my ordeal as a Survivor of Gender-Based Violence. I have presented the pressing issue of Gender-Based Violence on various platforms Locally and Internationally and through these platforms, Widows and Survivors of Gender-Based Violence have garnered support by sharing their stories and seeking assistance to help them heal. My interest is to see widows living in a very dignified way and their children get good and quality Education. My passion is to see Laws and Policies changed in Kenya to protect Widowed Persons and their families. I also want to see our good existing Laws implemented so that we all MAKE WIDOWS MATTER IN KENYA AND BEYOND.”