Some 15 years ago, Nchalika Omar Zito lost her husband to a stroke in Kwale county.
His passing marked the beginning of a life filled with unexpected challenges — humiliation and stigma she never foresaw.
Widows like her find themselves marginalised, mistreated and enduring profound injustices and inequality in society.
Zito faced years of alienation before finally finding her voice to stand against the systemic injustices.
The injustices were compounded by the denial of inheritance rights, leaving many in vulnerable and precarious positions.
Zito's journey as a widow in Kwale has been a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.
For years, she navigated these deep-rooted injustices with little support, enduring alienation and hardship. Yet, her resilience and determination never wavered.
She was evicted from her marital home and denied inheritance rights shortly after her husband's death.
“Even before the soil on my husband's grave settled, inheritance meetings were held, and I was sidelined,” she said.
Zito recounted a harrowing tale of mistreatment and coercion at the hands of her husband's family, primarily his children from a previous marriage.
She claims she was pressured into leaving her marital home and forced to surrender everything she had without recourse.
Describing her ordeal, she revealed instances of being denied food and enduring nights with an empty stomach.
Zito said despite her efforts to reconcile with her husband's family, she claimed that her attempts were futile against what she described as a life of torment.
“I had no choice but to leave because the abuse and hostility were unbearable," she said.
Upon returning home, she claims that her deceased father's uncles had seized and sold the eight acres of land she had inherited from her father.
For her, it was a double tragedy, as both her family's ancestral property and her husband's home had been lost.
The land held deep familial significance and was meant to be a source of security and stability for her and her family but all was gone and hard to start from scratch.
According to Zito, she faced exploitation due to her illiteracy and widowhood, leaving her with no one to turn to for support.
However, she was determined to reclaim what was rightfully hers and vowed to fight for justice.
Initially, she faced overwhelming challenges as her uncles took advantage of her vulnerability.
She was frequently dismissed due to her gender and societal perceptions that undermined her voice in the community.
However, her determination to reclaim her rights led her to Tuwajali Wajane, a Kwale-based NGO dedicated to empowering widows and advocating widows' rights, offering leadership training, supporting inheritance rights and fostering economic development for self-sufficiency.
Currently, the organisation supports about 821 widows and their families in the Msambweni subcounty. Zito is one of them.
The organisation not only provided her with the tools to assert her rights, but also empowered her to become a leader within her community.
Over time, she found the courage to raise her voice against the injustices faced by widows in her community.
With unwavering resolve, she began advocating change, challenging societal norms and pushing for her rights.
It was then that Zito decided to take her fight to court, seeking legal assistance to reclaim her rightful inheritance.
"When I became empowered, I found the means to reclaim what rightfully belonged to me," she said.
The organisation provided her with legal aid and guidance.
After a lengthy legal battle, Zito emerged victorious. She successfully reclaimed her father's property, a significant milestone not only for herself but also for the broader cause of women's rights and inheritance justice in her community.
Today, she continues to be advocate for widows' rights and empowerment through her involvement with Tuwajali Wajane.
As she eagerly awaits the issuance of her title deed, Zito plans to share the land with her younger brother for agricultural purposes, aiming to transform both of their lives.
Through her advocacy efforts, Zito has become a beacon of hope for many others in similar situations, offering support and solidarity.
Director Tuwajali Wajane of Mwanasha Gaserego said that the lives of widows improve consistently every year.
She added that many of them had lost hope and were in deep despair.
"I find great joy in witnessing women like Zito and numerous others making significant strides. The majority have grown into strong and independent individuals," she said.
Recently, the NGO launched a five-year strategic plan.
According to Gaserego, the initiative aims to improve widows' lives and ensure that they use technology to advocate their rights and strengthen their livelihoods.