Why Deputy governor wants widows to stop pity parties after hubby dies

Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga has challenged widows not to focus too much on their widowhood.

Although the death of a husband usually causes sorrow and confusion, he said focusing too much on bereavement can make a widow lose focus.

Instead, the Deputy Governor urged widows to embrace agribusiness. This encompasses production, processing and distribution of farm-based goods.

“Let our widows focus on agriculture. They should avoid focusing too much on bereavement because doing so does not help but instead aggravates the grief,” he said.

Speaking at Kadongo market during celebrations to mark Annual Aquaculture Day, he said many widows have prospered through farming.  He was accompanied by an aquaculture specialist at the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) Ruth Lewo.

“All raw materials which are used in the manufacturing sector come from agriculture. There is no way we can have industries if we fail to participate actively in agriculture,” he said.

He explained the county has fertile land that can support the growing of many crops adding that the county has hired extension officers to advise farmers on crops to produce and how to take care of them.

“We have field extension officers who are ready to offer advice to farmers. Let us embrace crop production to boost food security and improve livelihood of our people,” he said.

Jane Akoth, a widow, said widows need to be supported financially and emotionally. “At times a husband may die when there is no capital to start even a small business. Such a widow needs to be supported to start an economic activity,” she said.

Another widow Rosa Anyango said widowhood requires hard work. “Today, the high cost of living makes it is difficult for relatives to support widows because everyone has their problems. We just need to work hard,” she said.