Kenyan women have always emerged as the pillars of the rural economy due to their total involvement in agriculture. The male members usually migrate to towns to earn a living for their families but with an increase in the level of drug abuse, some end up spending all earnings on drugs. Men who are in villages are pillars in their families but the illicit brews in the region have diverted their focus.
I visited Ronnie, my college friend, in the rural area of Uasin Gishu county. The women in the village are the most hardworking people. The urban 'slay queens' will just collapse if they are taken to the area. Almost all the women in the society are employed in one way or other. They are involved in a variety of chores ranging from farming to the household. The life in the hilly areas is very difficult but the women portrayed immense potential and prominence.
It was still dark about 4.00 am but outside was busy with activities. Rebecca was milking cows. It was really cold but she endured to serve her family. She then light a fire to prepare breakfast. The other members of the family were still enjoying the morning warmth in their beds. She would then wake up her children to prepare for school. She washed the little children, dress and serve them with tea and ugali which was from the previous supper.
Her husband coughed. He wakes up and calls out to be given warm water to wash his face. Rebecca hurriedly brought. She then serves breakfast for him. The children were ready, she escorted them to school as she carries a gallon of milk to the nearby kiosk.
After an hour, she was back. The house was untidy. She sprinkled water on the mud floor and began to sweep with a brush of long leaves bound together. She then immediately picked a two-twenty liters containers and left to the river.
After some time, she was back with one container on the head and other hoisted on her back and tied on with a rope. Walking back with containers full of water was very difficult because it was hilly.
It was about 8.00 am. Her husband had finished sharpening Jembe. They together left to cultivate at the maize plantation. The baby was constantly crying. She fastened from her back and breastfeed her.
At noon, she returned home and without pausing, she began to prepare lunch. The family would then be home for lunch. Rebecca served them all. I am not sure if she had time to eat. She would then wash the utensils and set out to fetch firewoods from the far valley.
After lunch, his husband disappeared. I was informed that he goes to drink illicit brew with his friends at the neighboring village. When Rebecca returns, she would go to fetch more water. Thereafter, she feeds the cow.
As the darkness fell, she would take to the kitchen to prepare a meal for the family. She would then help her children with homework.
At 9.00 pm, she ushered the children to beds and began tidying chores. The husband returns home heavily drunk. She changes his dirty clothes and serves him supper. By the time she goes to bed, Rebecca is really exhausted just like other village women. The village women are really hardworking and deserve to be heroines.