Nyali parliamentary aspirant Elkana Jacob has urged the government to fast-track the enactment of the proposed Widowed Persons Protection Bill, 2026, saying the legislation would strengthen legal, social and economic protection for widows across the country.
Speaking at Frere Town Social Hall in Mombasa, Jacob said widows continue to face numerous challenges, including property grabbing, discrimination, unlawful evictions, harmful cultural practices and violations of inheritance rights.
He said the proposed legislation would provide stronger safeguards for widowed persons while protecting their dignity and improving access to economic empowerment programmes, legal aid and counselling services.
“The time has come for Kenya to move beyond policy discussions and enact a law that guarantees widows protection, dignity, inheritance rights and economic empowerment. No widow should suffer dispossession, discrimination or exclusion simply because she has lost a spouse,” Jacob said.
According to Jacob, the Bill also proposes the establishment of a Widowed Persons Protection Board to oversee the implementation of programmes aimed at improving the welfare of widowed persons while strengthening access to justice and social protection.
He said Kenya has an opportunity to join countries that have enacted legal frameworks to shield widows from abuse, exploitation and economic vulnerability.
Jacob further called for greater inclusion of widows in development programmes, saying they should benefit from initiatives that promote financial independence, entrepreneurship and access to essential public services.
The event brought together widows, community leaders and other stakeholders to commemorate International Widows Day and discuss measures aimed at improving the welfare and protection of widowed persons.
International Widows Day, observed annually on June 23, seeks to raise awareness of the social, economic and legal challenges faced by widows worldwide while encouraging governments and institutions to adopt policies that protect their rights and livelihoods.
