“We must make sure that widows have title deeds for the lands they occupy,” PS Raymond Omollo has said, as he raised concern over the many problems widows face when it comes to land ownership.
PS Omollo said many widows suffer a lot after losing their husbands. Instead of getting comfort, they face new battles. He said some widows are chased away from their homes by in-laws, while others are threatened or forced to leave land they have lived on for many years. He said this kind of treatment is painful and should stop.
He explained that land is very important to widows because it is their main source of life. Many widows depend on land to farm, grow food, and raise their children. Without land, life becomes very hard. PS Omollo said when a widow does not have a title deed, anyone can come and claim the land, leaving her helpless.
He said giving widows title deeds will protect them from harassment and illegal eviction. A title deed, he said, gives security and peace of mind. It shows clearly that the land belongs to the widow, and no one can take it away from her easily. He added that widows with title deeds can also use the land to access loans and improve their lives.
PS Omollo said the government is working closely with county governments to help widows get their land papers. He said chiefs, assistant chiefs, elders, and local leaders must support widows during land registration. He warned leaders who support land grabbing, saying they will be held responsible.
He also called on families to respect widows and protect their rights. He said culture should not be used as an excuse to mistreat widows. According to him, traditions that harm widows must be changed because times have changed.
PS Omollo encouraged widows to speak out when their rights are violated. He said widows should not suffer in silence. He urged them to report land issues to local offices and seek help from leaders and government officers.
Widows who attended the meeting welcomed his message. They said land grabbing is a big problem and many widows live in fear. They said having title deeds will give them confidence and security.
By Newshub