Some Ward Representatives in Kisii Thursday voiced concern saying more still needs to be done to eliminate female genital mutilation from the rural regions of the country.
In Kisii and Nyamira regions, the vice is still practised in remote villages making a mock of the government efforts in checking the vice.
Female nominees Lilian Gor, Edna Kwamboka and Dolphin Bwari want urgent action to taken curb the illegal practice irrespective of locality.
Gor said what is needed at the moment are not more laws but enforcement of those already enacted to protect the girl child from the vice.
“It raises questions that we are not enforcing them properly and send the perpetrators to the gallows,” she told journalists outside the Kisii County Assembly building early Thursday.
The Gusii region is cited among regions with troubling statistics on female genital mutilation.
Though reducing in scale, the leaders said they are concerned with the long term effect on the victims.
Mostly targeted are school-aged girls during school holidays.
“Despite the ongoing efforts and existing laws, FGM is still being conducted in secrecy, leaving many girls traumatized and at risk of health complications,” Gor stated.
On the spot are local administrators often alleged to be compromised by the perpetrators when enforcing the anti-FGM laws.
Edna called for increased community sensitization programs and the prosecution of known FGM practitioners.
“This is a violation of human rights, and we cannot continue to look the other way while our daughters suffer,” she said.
FGM was outlawed in Kenya under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011.
Enforcement however remains inconsistent in some areas.
Recent reports by human rights groups indicate a disturbing phenomenon.
In rural regions ,the practice is linked to traditional initiation ceremonies.
In Kuria, some families crossed the borders to Tanzania to evade arrest.
Bwari urged the government to allocate more resources to anti-FGM campaigns and support safe houses for at-risk girls.
They also requested immediate intervention by the national government to investigate and dismantle FGM networks operating in the region.
“This is not just a women’s issue. It is a societal crisis that demands collective action,” she stated.
The United Democratic Alliance nominee spoke of a disturbing pattern when some rogue medics perpetuate the vice under the guise of conducting ‘minor surgical operation’ on young girls.
She emphasized that legitimizing FGM through medical professionals does not make it any less harmful.
“FGM is a harmful cultural practice that has no place in our society — whether done at home or in a clinic,” said Bwari.
“It is a clear abuse of the rights of girls and women, and no amount of ‘sanitizing’ can justify it,” she added.
The rep further called increased education campaigns targeting communities where the practice remains prevalent.
Boochi Borabu MCA Amos Onderi, himself a medical expert, however exonerated health personnel from the charge that they were perpetuating the practice.
“There had been no arrest or prosecution of any doctor or nurse to warrant the blanket accusation from the activists. It is wrong to accuse them wrongly and on account of rumours,” he stated.
Medicalized FGM refers to the performance of the procedure by healthcare providers, often under the mistaken belief that it is safer.
Activists continue to warn that this only perpetuates the cycle of abuse.
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