Strategies for Widow Inheritance and Peaceful Coexistence among the Luo Community in HomaBay Town Sub-County, HomaBay County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The study examined possible strategies that can make widow inheritance create peaceful coexistence among families of the Luo community in HomaBay Town Sub-County, HomaBay County, Kenya. The study was informed by Cultural Relativism Theory and Social Functionalist Theory and adopted a mixed-method approach using a descriptive research design. The target population was drawn from HomaBay Town Sub-County. Simple random sampling was used for the quantitative component, while purposive sampling was used for key informants comprising widows, widow support group leaders, village elders and chiefs. A total of 399 questionnaires were issued and 311 were returned, representing a 77.9% response rate. Qualitative information was collected through interviews with selected widows, chiefs, village elders and leaders of widow support groups. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings showed that 43% of respondents strongly agreed and 38% agreed that respect for widows’ rights and promotion of widow empowerment in the community could contribute to peaceful coexistence among families. Similarly, 43% strongly agreed and 35% agreed that encouraging participation of widows in family decision-making forums with their male counterparts could promote peaceful coexistence. Qualitative findings further identified consultation with widows, economic empowerment, protection of property rights, community dialogue and government and legal support as possible strategies. The regression results showed a positive coefficient for strategies (B = 0.173) with a significance value of 0.078. Thus, the coefficient was positive, although it was not statistically significant at the 5% level. The findings suggest that peaceful coexistence in the context of widow inheritance requires attention to widows’ rights, participation, economic security, property ownership and appropriate mechanisms for resolving family disputes.

Keywords: Widow Inheritance, Peaceful Coexistence, Luo Community, Widow Empowerment, Freedom of Choice, HomaBay.

Widow Inheritance, Peaceful Coexistence, Luo Community, Widow Empowerment, Freedom of Choice, HomaBay.

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