In Kenya, widow disinheritance has long operated in the shadows — a widespread form of gender-based violence that strips women of property, dignity and security following the loss of a spouse. But a new law in Western Kenya is beginning to offer widows long-denied legal protection and hope.
To bring this quiet but devastating issue to light, correspondent Evelyne Musambi traveled more than 900 kilometers (560 miles) with East Africa videojournalist Jackson Njehia and photographer Brian Inganga to report on the experiences of three women navigating life after disinheritance. Their stories revealed both the pain of exclusion and the promise of justice emerging from legal reform.
The AP team was the first to report on the law and its impact. Their all-formats package included vivid regional context from southern Africa, immersive visuals and compassionate storytelling — all shaped by thoughtful editing from Cara Anna. The piece stood out for its human focus and for offering global audiences a rare look at a deeply rooted, systemic form of violence often overlooked in policy conversations.
Judges praised the work as a moving example of AP’s value in being present, persistent and globally connected.
For leaning into AP’s global footprint with powerful storytelling, Musambi, Njehia and Inganga are named Best of AP – Second Winner.
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