52 years since Kenya became independent, Jawatho women have nothing to smile about. Devolution has not done them good either. Their lives are full of misery, hopelessness, wretchedness, desperation and dejection.
Despite being a source of life, no one seems to care about them. As leaders roll in posh cars and live in multi-million houses in estates such as Milimani, these women live in pathetic mud structures that leak whenever it pours. To make the situation worse, some of them have been driven out of their houses for failing to pay Sh250 monthly rent.
When politicians are dining and wining daily using the common mwananchi’s money, Jawatho women cannot afford two meals a day. This has made them highly vulnerable to various diseases like Diabetes, high blood pressure, Pneumonia, Malaria and other age related complications.
Sarah Njoki Kamau aged 102 is a good example of women who have been gravely affected. Their clothing and bedding is a true reflection of desperation.
Local residents have been questioning the origin of these women. Aged between 77-102 years, most of these women are said to have been displaced from Mau forest. After their displacement, they never went to IDP camps because of their age and deplorable state of camps among other reasons.
With more than 70 elderly women forming this group, where is the county government? Does it mean that they do not have relatives? Don’t we have charitable organizations and individuals that can come to their rescue?
According to Mrs. Gladys Methu and Mr. Joshua Melike, the group has approached the Nakuru County government on several occasions but their efforts have not borne fruits.
Instead, they have been given empty promises.
"We have sought the attention of the local administration only to be directed to the national government,” added their chairperson, Susan Washu Kuria.
The local administration, political leaders, community, county and national governments have ignored their plea. It’s perturbing to note that some of them have not only been neglected by their relatives but also left with grandchildren to take care of.
These children have not been attending school because of sleeping hungry, lack uniform and other technicalities.
“The group has not been doing well because they lack funds,” stated their treasurer, Teresia Wamboi Kinyua.