A political aspirant in Kisii County raised alarm over the surge in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) incidents in the region during school holidays.
Violet Nyapara, who is positioning herself for the Bomachoge Chache parliamentary seat in 2027, called for urgent action from authorities, parents, and community leaders to end the vice.
Speaking at Misesi within the constituency, Nyapara described FGM as a violation of girls’ rights and a setback to education and empowerment efforts in the region.
“It is disheartening that while the government and civil society have made significant strides in ending FGM, some families still subject young girls to this harmful tradition under the cover of school holidays,” said Nyapara.
She urged local administrators and law enforcement officers to intensify surveillance in hotspot areas, especially in remote villages where the outlawed practice tends to flourish.
Community elders and youth groups were also encouraged to join the campaign to protect girls from the cut and to promote alternative rites of passage that will not endanger the girls’ rights.
Activists have since raised alarm that several cases of FGM are recorded in parts of Kisii and Nyamira counties when schools close.
The victims, mostly between 10 and 15 years old, are said to be forced to undergo the procedure in secret ceremonies organized by traditional practitioners and sometimes unscrupulous medical personnel.
On Monday, Nyapara reaffirmed her commitment to championing girls’ rights and education if elected, emphasizing that ending FGM requires consistent public awareness, community dialogue, and strict enforcement of the law.
“Our girls deserve to grow up safe, educated, and confident. It is time we say no to retrogressive practices that rob them of their future,” she added.
FGM is outlawed in Kenya under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011, but it remains prevalent in some regions due to deep-rooted cultural beliefs and social pressure.
Speaking at Ogembo, the aspirant separately pledged to make road development a top priority if elected in the forthcoming polls.
She acknowledged the poor state of infrastructure in the constituency adding that this continues to affect transportation, trade, and access to essential services.
Improving the road network would be key to boosting the local economy, she stated.
“Our farmers struggle to get their produce to market because of impassable roads. Fixing this will be our first task,” the aspirant assured supporters.
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