Widows in Mumias turn to briquette-making to rebuild lives and support families

Members of the Wadada Solidarity Group in Mumias, Kakamega County, making briquettes; 14 April 2025. [Mary Imenza, Standard] In the heart of Mumias town, Kakamega County, a determined group of widows is redefining resilience through an unlikely venture: briquette-making. The Wadada Solidarity Group, made up of 20 widows, produces eco-friendly briquettes to support their families and break free from the stigma, poverty, and despair that often shadow widowhood in rural areas. Each day, the women gather at a member's home, mixing charcoal dust, sawdust, and other organic waste to make briquettes. The process is entirely manual- a labour of love and necessity. They produce about three bags daily, each sold at Sh2,300 to locals and nearby schools. Jamila Rashid, the group's chairperson, says the idea was born out of desperation and shared pain. Many members, she notes, lost their husbands under tragic circumstances and were left to raise their children alone, with no source of income. "Many of us were not only grieving but also struggling to feed and educate our children. We came together because we understood each other's pain, and we wanted to find a way to rise again," she said. Aside from selling, Rashid said they also preserve a portion of the briquettes for their domestic use. "This has significantly reduced our dependence on firewood, cutting down on household fuel expenses and contributing to environmental conservation," she added. But even as they celebrate their small wins, she said they face a major challenge-meeting demand. With nearby schools and institutions increasingly turning to briquettes as a cleaner and cheaper energy alternative, the group can barely keep up with the orders. "We receive requests for over 10 bags from a single school, but we can only produce three a day manually. If we had a briquette-making machine, we could meet the demand and improve our earnings," said Rashid. She is now calling on the government and well-wishers to support them with modern equipment that would boost production and uplift their lives even further. Wadada Solidarity is one of several women empowerment initiatives under the Women Pillar Alliance Organisation (WOPA), a grassroots NGO that works to equip underprivileged women with economic and social empowerment tools. WOPA Director Violet Ombaka says the group was formed after the widows were mobilised and trained through a community outreach initiative funded by Uraia Trust since 2019. The programme doesn't just focus on livelihoods but also on reclaiming dignity. "Many of these women had fallen into a cycle of mourning and self-pity. Our empowerment program helped them realise they can still lead dignified lives and make meaningful contributions to society," said Ombaka. WOPA has also been offering training on women's rights, giving the widows the knowledge and confidence to stand up against injustices such as property grabbing, gender-based violence, and discrimination. "The community has also been a strong support pillar. We've been relying heavily on local resource mobilisation to ensure these women not only survive but thrive," she concluded.

Widows in Mumias turn to briquette-making to rebuild lives and support families

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Widows in Mumias turn to briquette-making to rebuild lives and support families

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