Out of Kenya’s population of 53 million, 8 million are widows. In rural Kenya, where tribalism and patriarchal values rule, there exists a rising tension between the ingrained culture and the evolving world. Here, wives live on the same compound as their husbands' families — but when their husbands die, unless they are “inherited” by one of their brothers-in-law, these women find themselves disowned and treated like second-class citizens. Unloved and unwanted, rejected widows must contend with in-laws who have granted themselves dominion over their fate and dignity. Powerless, these women are left to suffer having the title deeds to their husbands' land stripped from them. 

The subjugated women who now “walk in their husbands’ shoes" — taking on the farming, managing the upkeep of their homes and running their households — find a hero and advocate in Rodah Nafula Wekesa. A widowed matriarch herself, Rodah expertly navigates the distrust amongst grieving family members by strategically focusing on repair while still honoring tribal, cultural and modern laws. Westerners could learn a lot from Rodah and her restorative approach to justice that restores peace in homes and her community. Rodah Nafula Wekesa is the Widow Champion.—Shakira Refos

Zippy Kimundu