Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga has banned the inheritance of wives in a bid to curb the spread of HIV/AIDs in the region.
Speaking during a meeting with widows in Wagoma village, Bondo, on Saturday, Rasanga said that wife inheritance is a practice whose time has elapsed.
The outspoken governor instead urged widows in this county to engage in economic activities that will sustain them than waiting for men to inherit them.
“The tradition of inheriting wives must be stopped at all costs,” he said as quoted by the Star. Rasanga also said that he is going to involve Luo Council of Elders to help regulate the spread of HIV/ AIDs in the county.
He further encouraged widows from this part of the nation to explore other ways of making a living, including those provided by his government.
“Widows should explore other financial avenues like the Uwezo Fund to access capital and take advantage of other opportunities provided by the county government,” Rasanga said.
Siaya has been ranked among the counties with a high rate of HIV/AIDs infection in the nation. The meeting was also attended by Mombasa speaker Thadius Rajuayi, Siaya assembly chief whip John Gare and Member of the Siaya County Assembly Nicholas Aneme.