A Chief in Migori County has proposed that men seeking to inherit widows should be required to present certificates of good conduct and letters from their local chiefs.

West Kanyamamba Location Chief Charles Ayieko said the documents should be mandatory to help verify the character of such individuals before they are allowed to take on widow inheritance responsibilities.

He said the requirement would help prevent cases where a man who inherits a widow later turns against her. “Those who do not come from this area should possess certificates of good conduct from their place of origin,” Chief Ayieko said.

He further advised widows involved in such relationships to encourage their partners to obtain the required documentation from his office. “To the women who have such people in their lives, talk to them so that they can go and fetch those documents. We need to know their character,” he stated.

He added that the measure would help address cases where women are allegedly harmed by their partners, who then disappear. “We would not be able to establish the kind of person he was after he has disappeared. We cannot accept that,” he said.

Additionally, the chief urged leaders to avoid employing individuals without national identity cards and letters of recommendation from local chiefs.

He claimed that those employed without proper documentation were often criminals.

“To our leaders who are here, you have employed people, but I want to tell you that you have employed thugs,” he said.

He stressed the importance of thorough background checks before hiring.

Chief Ayieko further warned that authorities would conduct door-to-door checks and anyone without the required documents would be sent away. [Anne Atieno]