Widows Are Not Beggars; Pastor Dorcas Says As She Launches Nyeri Widows’ Sacco
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi exchanging a document with Pastor James from US based Margaret James Foundation during the launch of Widows Sacco in Nyeri town yesterday. Looking on is Governor Mutahi Kahiga and his Deputy David Kinaniri. Sitted on the right is Dr Margaret Karungaru, who is a commissioner with the National Gender and Equality Commission.
By OSDP
Worth Noting:
- She urged the widows and widowers to embrace income generating projects urging them to take advantage of the different programs and opportunities presented to them by the County Government of Nyeri.
- “The launch of this Sacco will create a financial platform to access affordable credit, support livelihoods, and overcome barriers such as lack of collateral. It will also offer opportunities for financial literacy and promote business and entrepreneurship. I wish you success and growth as you actualize this dream. I believe it will also create employment opportunities, and also extend services to all citizens,” she added.
The Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas has reiterated that widows are not beggars but women with unfortunate situations they found themselves in.
Pastor Dorcas spoke during the Nyeri County launch of the Nyeri County Gender and Development Policy and widows sacco at the Governor’s Office.
The meeting brought together widows and widowers from across the county.
“When the husband leaves the wife (Widow) it doesn’t mean that she should be a beggar, she has the capability to take care of her children,” she said.
“Widowhood is not a choice,” she added.
She urged the widows and widowers to embrace income generating projects urging them to take advantage of the different programs and opportunities presented to them by the County Government of Nyeri.
“The launch of this Sacco will create a financial platform to access affordable credit, support livelihoods, and overcome barriers such as lack of collateral. It will also offer opportunities for financial literacy and promote business and entrepreneurship. I wish you success and growth as you actualize this dream. I believe it will also create employment opportunities, and also extend services to all citizens,” she added.
Pastor Dorcas has been advocating for the welfare of the widows, one of the pillars in her office. Last week, she was in Zanzibar for an African Widows conference where she called for policies that will make widows thrive economically, socially and politically.
“Widows are often denied their inheritance rights and property grabbed after the death of their partner. This is a very sad situation that we must correct, holistically,” she said.
She said that economic empowerment of widows is the gateway through which all the economic, social and cultural barriers can be broken. She added that through empowerment, widows can make independent decisions and overcome these challenges.
Pastor Dorcas has widows’ programs running in Nakuru, Kilifi, Laikipia, Bomet, Migori, Nairobi, Kajiado, Bungoma, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Embu, and Meru Counties.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga urged the widows to unite for better lives through the Sacco. He pledged to support the widows through an allocation and delegated the issue to his deputy David Kiranire.
He further said that called on Kenyans to unite and condemned the recent killings in the demos.
“The children (GenZ) are not insane, they are our children and we must listen to them. I thank the president for listening to the people on the issue of the finance bill,” he said.
The Nyeri County widows’ program was started by the First Governor the Late Nderitu Gachagua. According to Governor Kahiga , Nyeri County registered more than 65,200 widows in the recent survey.
Others present included the Deputy Governor, Nyeri County Speaker James Gichuhi , National Gender and Equality Commissioner Dr. Margaret Karungaru, CECs , Several MCAs, Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu among other leaders.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER July 2, 2026
- Gachagua, Wanjigi deepen opposition talks as 2027 alliance-building intensifies
- Tielemans’ 125th-minute penalty sends Belgium past Senegal in World Cup thriller
- The Imperative of Law: Anchoring Human Society Against Chaos
- The degree on the wall, the cash in their hands
About the Author
![L-R Winnie Karanu, AI National Skills Initiative Director at Microsoft, Constantine Obuya, African Centre for Women, Information and Communication Technology (ACWICT) and Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Ag. Deputy Chief Executive officer and Global Director Youth and Jobs Kenya Private Sector Alliance during the Microsoft AI National Skilling Initiative (AINSI) Launch. This initiative is part of Microsoft’s commitment to democratise AI and empower individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy, aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Digital Masterplan [Photo: Handout]](https://mountkenyatimes.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Winnie-Karanu-AI-National-Skills-Initiative-Director-at-Microsoft-Constantine-Obuya-African-Centre-for-Women-768x514.jpg)
