Kenyan widows face disinheritance as Siaya moves to protect them

Thousands of widows in western Kenya report losing homes and land after their husbands die; Siaya County assembly has passed a Widows Protection Bill that would criminalize forced disinheritance and forced remarriage if the governor signs it.

Widows in parts of western Kenya report losing land and property after the deaths of their husbands, often because they are unaware of formal legal protections or face customary pressures. Local lawmakers in Siaya County responded in November by passing a Widows Protection Bill that, if signed by the governor, would criminalize forced disinheritance and forced remarriage and create welfare committees to help widows access legal aid. Community organizations and some women have pursued legal training and pro bono help to assert inheritance rights under national law. Tensions between statutory inheritance rules and customary practices across the region are reported as a continuing issue. Key facts: - Thousands of widows in western Kenya report being removed from land or denied inheritance after their spouses die. - Local customary practices reported in some communities include expectations of wife inheritance and other rituals described as part of widowhood. - Siaya County assembly unanimously passed a Widows Protection Bill in November that would criminalize forced disinheritance and forced remarriage, pending the governor's signature. - Local groups and foundations are providing legal advice, pro bono lawyer connections, and training to help some widows pursue legal claims. Summary: The Siaya County bill, if signed, would change local enforcement by creating criminal penalties for forced disinheritance or forced remarriage and setting up welfare committees to connect widows to legal support. The law's practical effect will depend on the governor's decision and on how implementation addresses wider tensions between statutory law and customary practices, which remain undetermined at this time.