A widow of a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer will have peaceful sleep after she was gifted a brand new house valued at Ksh2.6 million at Kabatini, in Bahati, Nakuru County.
In a special handover ceremony held on Saturday, July 10, Pauline Waithira, the widow of Private Jeremiah Mbugua, was gifted the house constructed by the Engineers Brigade.
The house was a project by the Military Wives Association of Kenya (MWAK).
During the handover event MWAK Chairperson Tabitha Kibochi commended the work done in a record time of just two months saying it has provided a permanent habitation for the young widow.
A previous house owned by the widow and her son was demolished to pave way for the new project whose construction took place between April 28 and July 2.
“It is indeed distressing to lose a husband leaving behind young children. The story of Pauline came up last year and touched our hearts including that of the Chief of Defence Forces.
"However, I am delighted to hand over the keys to this new house to uplift this family,” she noted.
She further revealed that the building was the first project since the association was constituted to help families of military officers.
“We look forward to supporting and make more impacts in the lives of other widows, orphans and those who are disabled. I urge everyone going through challenging circumstances to come out and share since problem shared is problem half solved. Even if it shall not be instant, it shall eventually be worked on,” she added.
Mbugua passed away in January 2018.
Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Wanderi who represented Commander Engineers Brigade noted that sourcing labour and materials from KDF saved over Ksh1.4 million.
“I am an engineer and this 90 square metres house with all the specifications we’ve given it, would have costed in excess of Sh4 million. Having our troops doing the work has saved costs and time taken to construct the house.
"We thank the CDF, MWAK and the Compensation and Welfare Department for this wonderful work,” he stated.
Receiving the gift, Waithira thanked MWAK and the KDF fraternity for wiping away her shame saying the house is a dream that has come to reality.
“Indeed there’s hope for a tree once it’s cut, it shall sprout again. I sought assistance from the CDF and today I’m glad for the honour bestowed on me & my young children. The CDF further helped me secure a job so I can fed for my young family. From the bottom of my heart, I’m thankful,” she noted.
The house is a bungalow with a sizeable verandah and well-furnished interior.
