Nyiva Mwendwa

“When we passed the new Constitution, I was sure that the position of the County Women’s Representative would serve to address the plight of women right from the village level, but things have not changed, especially because the position is not supported through funding.”

“I take credit for advocating for women’s rights during the Beijing women’s conference, but regrets that the lot of women has not improved to the levels anticipated in the conference objectives, especially in areas of water, food security and poverty. Successive governments have failed to address women’s needs.”

“Keeping aloof will break you. Share your problems with other widows. Mama Ngina Kenyatta (Kenya’s pioneer First Lady), Pamela Mboya and Mrs Argwings Kodhek (both widows of Cabinet Ministers in the Kenyatta government) were close to me and I consulted them a lot.”

“I consider herself lucky in this regard, because my two children, Kavinya and Maluki, were aged 19 and 17 respectively when their father died. I ensured that they pursued their education overseas uninterrupted.”

“Do not accept a ‘come-we-stay’ arrangement. I dismisse wife inheritance as …a good thing overtaken by time and circumstances.”

“I advise widows to remarry for the sake of the children if they feel they cannot manage on their own.”

“Never allow despair to get the better of you. You should march on with determination and resolve. Complete whatever work you started with your husband, if you can. Do even better where possible.”