By: Erick Otieno
In the heart of Karungu Bay, Nyatike Sub-County, a beacon of resilience and hard work stands tall—Kirengo Widows Women Group.
Comprised of both young and elderly women, the widows, symbolizes hope and determination as they shoulder the heavy responsibilities left by their departed husbands by providing for their families’ basic needs.
Recently, the group’s economic prospects received a significant boost when Her Excellency Pastor Dorcas Gachagua. funded their initiative with Ksh 250,000 under her women empowerment program.
This financial injection allowed the group to delve into poultry farming, receiving two hundred chicks from Ken Chick Company. Four months into the project, the widows are now reaping the fruits of their labor.
The group has successfully raised the chickens and even sold twenty, using the proceeds to purchase feeds for their continuing poultry farming.
During a visit by the Migori County Chief Officer in charge of Gender and Inclusivity, Prof. Rose Ogwang Odhiambo, the group chairperson, Mrs. Lilian Otieno, expressed her gratitude for the support they received.
She particularly praised the Dr. Agnes Ochilo Foundation, spearheaded by Migori County’s First Lady, for linking them with Pastor Gachagua’s foundation and facilitating the funding.
Prof. Ogwang Odhiambo commended the widows’ efforts, urging them to maintain their dedication as the primary breadwinners of their families.
The group, which has been active for several years, also engages in table banking, a financial strategy that allows members to secure friendly loans to cater to their needs.
“These loans have enabled many members to pay school fees for their children, build homes, and rear chickens in their respective homesteads, “she said.
Despite their growing success, the group faces challenges, particularly the low prices of their chickens in the market, which they say does not match the cost of feeding and maintaining the birds.
In response, Prof. Ogwang Odhiambo assured the group that the county government would collaborate closely with them to help secure better market opportunities both within and beyond Migori County.
With hope for more donors and supporters, the Kirengo Widows Group is determined to continue growing their projects and creating a sustainable livelihood for their families, standing as a testament to the power of women’s empowerment and unity.
