BUSIA, Kenya – As the world celebrates Father’s Day, widows, widowers and orphans in Busia County have not been left out as media personality Catherine Ooko continues to come to their rescue.
The single mother of one has been making a profound impact on the lives of widows, widowers and orphans in her community for several years now.
With support from some philanthropists, Catherine, a Public Relations practitioner but currently a Radio show host in Busia County, has been providing food, shelter and support to hundreds of vulnerable individuals, embodying the values of compassion, kindness and generosity.
In an exclusive interview with Y News, Catherine said that she was driven by a passion to make a difference in the lives of others.
“Being in the media industry, I have learnt some cases need just a listening ear and a heart that knows pain and what pain feels like,” says Catherine, who is determined to continue touching more souls.
How Catherine Ooko was shaped by her father
Catherine, who uses her free time perfecting her skills in sketching and art and reading romance novels, is the daughter of a retired engineer.
“A single father raised me. He is my pride. So, while growing up, I always looked up to him and wanted to take up mechanical engineering as my career. This man did everything for and was the present father at all times, the first to know every little bit of his daughters’ lives, like the menses,” recalls Catherine.
According to Catherine, success to her is making her family proud, bagging roles that will make her father proud of her every day.
“I am now in charge of 17 groups, and each group has 15 to 30 members, most of my members are widows, single mothers, widowers or vulnerable people struggling in one way or the other; and so, just giving a listening ear, sharing their pain and doing something about it gladdens my heart,” explains Catherine.
Y News knows that Busia County on the border of Kenya and Uganda has a high poverty level, with one report indicating a poverty index of 83% in 2022, up from 70% in 2021, making it one of the poorest counties in the region.
Several factors contribute to this including poor health services, lack of clean water, inadequate infrastructure, limited education and food insecurity.
“The current 83% poverty level has now placed Busia County to be the poorest county, a trend that is worrying to all our local leaders,” said area Governor, Paul Otuoma, during his inaugural address to the third County Assembly.
Why Busia County remains a sleeping giant
Despite Busia being a gateway to East Africa, and high revenue contributors to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) with over Sh10 billion targeted annually at the Busia and Malaba One-Stop Border Posts, the county has failed to generate or initiate projects that inject revenue into the devolved unit contributing to the high poverty index.
Meanwhile, Catherine also recounted that her first case was about a mother of 6, who was struggling with the pains of neglect, not feeling wanted, not having a hand to hold, despair at its best.
“At this point, I felt I had to do this. I lent a hand and walked with her through every possible office to get help,” recounted Catherine.
The houses she helps build are semi-permanent houses, and so far, she has managed to put up three houses.
“Humanity comes from a willing heart. I usually aim as much as possible to get assistance from a willing heart, and most help comes from the government. I am grateful because, on reaching out to NGOs or government entities, I always get positive feedback. I do these projects to bring the change I want, not just sitting around expecting to blame so and so,” explains Catherine.
What was Catherine Ooko’s first project like
During her interview with Y News, Catherine recalled the joy of the single mother whom she had supported during her first project.
“As we stepped out of the Assistant County Commissioner’s office, hope was written all over her face. Her eyes were welling with tears of joy. It was at this juncture that I knew there was no going back,” added Catherine while exuding confidence that her efforts would bear fruit in the long run.
Catherine also observed that humility and social media are two different things.
“I walk to most offices, get the ‘we’ll see about’ response to my proposal. I go to sleep on it and still try again. Kindness happens in the most silent environments and stays in the dark,” says Catherine.
The Radio show host says she grew up without the love of a mother, but now she can proudly brag that she is a daughter to over 30 mothers.
“In the coming years, I see myself in a position where I can manifest dreams of a community. In all this, I know I am blessed and so, I am busy working towards what my mother wants_ an ‘in-law’,” she concludes.
