ODM Party Leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has donated Sh120,000 to support widow-led initiatives in the Ugunja constituency.

The funds, delivered on Monday, January 19, 2026, are specifically earmarked for six widows’ groups to bolster their local table-banking systems, providing a revolving fund for small-scale businesses.

The donation was handed over by Tabitha Ogutu, a leadership expert and aspirant for the Siaya Woman Representative seat.

Speaking during the event, Ms Ogutu highlighted the systemic struggles faced by widows, many of whom are left destitute following the death of their husbands.

“This money is meant to strengthen the table banking of widow groups within Ugunja. It is designed to rotate; for those engaged in trade, these funds should act as a catalyst to expand their existing businesses,” Ogutu explained.

She noted that many widows continue to suffer from cultural disenfranchisement, often facing harassment or property dispossession at the hands of in-laws, leaving them unable to provide for their households.

The Burden of Daily Survival

The impact of the donation was echoed by Ruth Rakula, the coordinator of the Sigomere Widows group.

She painted a grim picture of the daily reality for her members, who struggle to put food on the table and keep their children in school.

Many widows have been forced to pull their children out of school due to a lack of fees.

Without collateral or formal credit, these women are often excluded from mainstream banking, making table banking their only financial refuge.

Rakula lamented that despite their numbers, widows’ groups are frequently overlooked in mainstream county and national empowerment programs.

The event also served as a political platform for Ms Ogutu, who confirmed her intention to run for the Siaya Woman Representative position in 2027.

She pledged to make the protection of widows’ rights a central pillar of her legislative agenda, advocating for legal frameworks that protect their inheritance and social welfare.

Dr Oburu’s gesture is seen as part of a broader strategy to maintain the party’s grassroots support in Nyanza by addressing the immediate economic needs of marginalized groups.