Second lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi reiterated that she would keep her promise to fund annual mass weddings for uniformed and disciplined officers.
Speaking during the annual central region uniformed and disciplined forces in Nyeri on May 27, she stated that the move was in collaboration with the office of the Inspector General, aimed at safeguarding families within the forces.
According to the Second Lady, it was the only way of ensuring spouses and children of officers enjoyed the benefits given by the government even if the officer passed on.
“Together with the office of the Inspector General of Police, we have decided that we will keep our promise of conducting uniformed matrimony every year and see how we can fund it.
“There is no excuse. All you will need to do is to wear your uniform and come with your wife so that you can secure your children,” she stated.
Further, she explained that many of the soldiers issued their parent’s names when registering their next of kin explaining that some of them were never introduced to their parents because of the nature of the job.
However, Dorcas noted that it was not an excuse, and the government was determined to ensure that good values were natured within the families and that the kin of soldiers was well protected.
“There is nothing you can do about the nature of your job and therefore when you are called home by God during your line of duty, your children are left suffering because you did not recognise them.
"In many instances, they are not given what you had worked for because when you join the service the person you had indicated as your next of kin is your parents," she explained.
Pastor Dorcas made the announcement for the first time in November 2022, stating that the move was in line with the vision of the Kenya Kwanza government to protect police welfare.
According to the Second Lady, family values and chaplaincy would be promoted within the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP), which will support these marriages.
"This is part of the Kenya Kwanza Government's agenda, and promise to upgrade police welfare," Pastor Dorcas stated. I believe in strong families as the basic unit of society,” she stated.
