By Elizabeth Angira
Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Donya has launched an ambitious empowerment initiative aimed at restoring dignity and promoting economic independence among widows and vulnerable community groups across the county .
The empowerment program, implemented through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), targets women-led groups, particularly widows, single mothers, and caregivers of children with disabilities. The initiative offers both economic tools and psychosocial support seeking not only to alleviate poverty but also to foster self-worth and community engagement among marginalized women.
Speaking during an empowerment ceremony held at Taracha Secondary School in Birongo Ward, Donya emphasized the importance of inclusive growth and gender-responsive development.
“Empowering a woman, especially a widow, is not just about giving material support,” she said. “It’s about restoring her voice, her ability to participate in society, and rebuilding her family’s future.”
During the event, Donya distributed over 500 goats to widows and donated more than 10,000 Hass avocado seedlings across Kisii’s nine sub-counties.
“This is not charity it’s a long-term investment in women’s economic empowerment,” she remarked, adding that the initiative encourages self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. “Instead of waiting to be given, this project equips them to uplift themselves and build lasting change,” Donya said.
For 48-year-old Jemimah Moraa, the day was life changing.
“After my husband died, everything crumbled. I could not feed my children or send them to school,” she recalled, clutching her newly gifted goat. “But today, I feel seen, valued, and empowered.”
While the initiative has brought renewed hope to many, challenges remain. Limited access to markets, lack of formal education, and persistent social stigma around widowhood continue to hinder progress for some women.
Donya has pledged to advocate for stronger county and national government support to close these gaps.
Beyond the economic boost, the program is also sparking cultural transformation. In communities where widows have traditionally faced exclusion and denied inheritance rights, the initiative is helping shift long-held norms.
“We are not just empowering women we are raising awareness and reshaping social perceptions,” Donya noted.
As the sun set over the rolling green hills of Kisii, the widows left the event not just with livestock or seedlings, but with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Their stories are no longer defined by grief and struggle, but by resilience, recovery, and reinvention.
Indeed, through strategic leadership and community-driven solutions, Woman Rep Donya is presenting a powerful model of how empowering one woman can uplift an entire village.
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Elizabeth Angira is a trailblazing climate journalist whose work bridges science, policy, and human impact. As Senior Climate Reporter at The Mount Kenya Times, she leads in-depth coverage on climate resilience, energy innovation, and sustainability across East Africa and beyond. Her storytelling has earned international acclaim, including a third-place win for “The Best Energy Story in Foreign Media” by the Global Energy Association in Moscow.
Elizabeth’s portfolio reflects her commitment to excellence and advocacy:
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