Some widows in Homa Bay County have asserted their determination not to succumb to financial vulnerability caused by men with intentions to inherit their property.
This follows incidents in which six cattle were stabbed to death in Kanyabala location, Homa Bay Sub-county.
“The bull has helped this family a lot in food production because we have been using it for tilling the land. The crops we produce are the source of our children’s school fees and the food we eat,” said Salvin Onyango, a resident of Adong village, Central Kanyabala Sub-location, who lost a bull and cow co-owned with her co-wife Mary Onyango.
“The cow provided us with milk, meaning we could have both food and money at the same time,” Salvin added.
She said the death of the cattle is making them vulnerable economically.
“The people who are killing our cattle are making us financially vulnerable, but I cannot allow any man to take advantage of the situation to inherit me. My husband died two years ago, but I decided to live peacefully in our homestead and raise my children,” Salvin said.
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On her part, Mary warned, “I have made a decision not to have another husband after mine died in 2021. Let people stop killing our cattle.”
The killing of the cattle makes the women feel that widows are being targeted. Of all the six households affected by the criminal act of stabbing cattle, four were headed by widows.
“We are surrounded by many homesteads where people own cattle in our village. But only homesteads headed by widows were invaded by criminals. What is their motive with widows?” Mary asked.
“These criminals are making life unbearable for us. Let the government authorities intervene by eradicating this crime,” Mary said.
Salvin said they suspect the people who kill the cattle are devil worshippers. She expressed concerns that the cattle killed are not found with blood.
“We suspect those who stab the cattle are devil worshippers because the cattle eventually lack blood after being stabbed,” she added.
“We are worried that the criminals may turn to human beings after killing cattle. Let our government authorities intervene in this matter,” Salvin added.
“This crime had occurred in this area some time back but it is resurfacing. But it may force farmers to sell their cattle because nobody is ready to see their cattle being killed in this manner,” she added.
North Kanyabala Assistant Chief Washington Kidew said they arrested three men in connection with the incident. One of the suspects was caught by residents before he revealed the names of the other two suspects.
“The incidents of stabbing used to be rampant here more than a year ago but they are reoccurring. We arrested three suspects and handed them over to the police at Homa Bay Police Station,” Kidew said.
Homa Bay Sub-county Police Commander Peter Maluki said the suspects are being interrogated to reveal more information on the incident. BY THE STANDARD MEDIA