Widows Promised Dignified Lives in Mombasa County

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Mombasa woman representative Zamzam Mohamed has urged county leaders to prioritize programs that would uplift widows and give them a dignified life.

Speaking during a widows’ empowerment forum at Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, the representative said many widows were struggling economically due to cultural barriers.

“Widows are enduring hard times socially and economically. As women leaders in Mombasa, we must be committed to giving them a dignified life and protecting them from retrogressive cultural practices that are hindering their growth locally,” she said.

Madam ZamZam, who was accompanied by County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri, said her office was working closely with President William Ruto’s administration to ensure widows access government funds and empowerment opportunities at national level.

“We will continue initiating empowerment projects that bring together widows from across the county. We are also providing direct aid, legal assistance and linking them to funds to start small scale businesses,” she added.

The speaker faulted leaders who exploited the vulnerable groups for political gain calling on residents to elect leaders based on their development records.

“We must deliver what the electorate voted us for. As Speaker, I have been using my personal resources to ensure widows live decently in collaboration with the woman representative,” he said.

Mikindani Ward MCA Jackson Madialo asked voters to reject leaders without clear agendas for uplifting electorates’ livelihoods.

“I ask the public to vote out leaders who are not visionary and having the interests of electorates at heart,” he said.

Human rights activist Betty Sharon said Mombasa women deserve dignity and accountable leadership that was ready to spill the beans whenever required to do so.

All the speakers in the function endorsed ZamZam’s re-election saying she had proved beyond any reasonable doubt she had the welfare of county people at heart.

Apart from this, the leaders pledged support for President Ruto’s second term bid in the forthcoming general election next year.