In a moment of profound grief and remarkable strength, the mother of celebrated broadcaster Festus Amimo made a solemn vow at his graveside: his widow, Rosie, will not suffer the fate of disinheritance that befalls many Kenyan women. "I will not fight over those things with her because I know how I was fought over things when my husband died," she declared, her words cutting through the sorrow of the funeral in Awasi.

Her promise is more than a family matter; it is a direct challenge to a pervasive issue where widows are often stripped of their property by in-laws, a practice deeply entrenched in parts of the country. Amimo, the 45-year-old head of KBC’s Mayienga FM, collapsed and died suddenly on December 7, 2025, leaving the media fraternity and his community in shock and mourning.

The declaration by Amimo's mother provides a sliver of security for his wife, Rosie, who married the journalist at a young age, even before receiving her KCSE certificate. She had eulogized her husband as a man who kept his promise to care for her, so much so that he preferred she not work. The mother's pledge ensures that the home and property Amimo built will remain for his wife and children.

A Community Rallies in Support

The family is not facing their loss alone. The funeral drew prominent figures, reflecting the broadcaster's wide-reaching impact. In a significant gesture of support, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga attended the burial, recalling his personal friendship with Amimo. He gifted the widow, Rosie, KSh 60,000 and Amimo's mother KSh 40,000 to help them navigate the difficult days ahead.

Tributes have poured in from across the nation, with leaders like Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo and Siaya Governor James Orengo hailing Amimo as a gifted, humble, and community-focused journalist. KBC Managing Director Agnes Kalekye described him as "a gentleman, a star, and a friend to our listeners and team."

The Weight of Tradition

Inheritance disputes remain a stark reality for many widows in Kenya, who are often left vulnerable by complex laws and cultural norms that favor male relatives. Legal frameworks like the Law of Succession Act exist to protect widows, granting them rights to their deceased husband's estate, but implementation can be fraught with challenges.

• The Legal Right: Kenyan law entitles a widow to a life interest in her late husband's property, meaning she has the right to use and benefit from it during her lifetime.
• The Harsh Reality: Despite legal protections, many women face intimidation, asset stripping, and eviction from their marital homes by relatives.
• A Call for Change: Women's rights advocates have been pushing for reforms to make the succession process more just and accessible for widows.

Amimo's mother, having once lost everything, has chosen to break that cycle. Her public vow, "the little I will get, we will eat together," is a powerful statement of solidarity and a beacon of hope, not just for her daughter-in-law, but for countless women in similar positions.

As the community mourns a voice that championed social causes on the airwaves, it is the quiet but firm voice of his mother at his final resting place that may become his most enduring legacy.