Widowhood and the Psychological Well-Being of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Widows

Abstract

Widowhood resulting from combat-related deaths among military spouses is a complex experience marked by multiple losses that extend beyond bereavement. Since 2011, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have been engaged in combat operations in Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and, currently, the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), where numerous fatalities have been reported. Despite the magnitude of these losses, limited empirical research has examined the psychological well-being of widows of KDF soldiers. Guided by the multidimensional grief theory, this study investigated the psychological implications of widowhood among spouses of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). A mixed-methods approach was adopted, integrating descriptive survey and phenomenological approaches to capture both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of widowhood. The target population comprised 200 widows of KDF soldiers who died in AMISOM and were based in Nakuru and Uasin Gichu Counties. A sample of 50 widows was selected using cluster and stratified random sampling by the rank of the deceased spouses to ensure representativeness. Data were collected using questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic descriptive analysis. The study revealed that the abrupt and traumatic death of spouses led to profound psychological distress among affected widows, challenging their long-held beliefs and compromising their sense of purpose, personal growth, positive relations with others, and self-acceptance, thereby undermining their psychological well-being. This, in turn, led to elevated anxiety and social isolation, which prolonged their grief. Although the KDF provides certain coping interventions, these measures remain inadequate to address widows’ psychosocial needs comprehensively. The study recommends establishing a structured government support framework to assist families before, during, and after deployment. Such interventions should include pre-deployment family preparation, financial literacy, disability and death planning, and guidance on accessing survivor benefits. Furthermore, specialised child support programmes, including educational assistance, should be prioritised to safeguard the long-term welfare of affected families.