University students perform a play denouncing female genital mutilation, at Kerio Valley Boys Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet on February 6, 2016.
Hundreds of girls have fled their homes in Tiaty, Kenya, ahead of the December holidays for fear of being subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM).
Reports also indicate that more than 300 teenage girls are contemplating running away from home to avoid the cut as schools go on end of the term break in December.
It was gathered that Cana Girls Rescue Home in Nginyang’, which has been the refuge for the girls fleeing the outdated cultural practices, is now overwhelmed with the high number of girls seeking accommodation to avoid being subjected to the circumciser’s knife.
According to Rev Christopher Chochoi of Anglican Churches of Kenya, who is in charge of the home, parents in the area view their daughters as a source of wealth once they are married off, with a typical dowry settlement amounting to more than 12 cows — a small fortune for impoverished locals.
For a young girl to get married, however, she must first undergo circumcision in order to be considered a mature woman.
He said that that the practice was rampant in December and August holidays in areas such as Kositei, Kollowa, Riong’o, Churo, Tangulbei, Paka Hills and Natan.
A recent survey carried out by the Women Rights Institute for Peace, WRIP, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in the North Rift, showed that the practice is prevalent among the Pokot community in Nginyang’ division and some parts of Baringo South.
The WRIP survey accuses rogue elements in the police service of handing out permits for FGM ceremonies despite a total government ban on the practice, and recommends investigation and prosecution of the culprits.
Sources told the country’s Nation that more than 400 girls are set to face the knife this December. In one single location, there are 144 girls earmarked for the cut.
Rev Chochoi said that he was forced to start the rescue home after praying with a 16-year-old girl who had taken rat poison rather than return to the violent and abusive elderly man she had been forced to marry. The centre is the only girls’ rescue home in the region.
“I prayed with the girl but she later died. It was so painful seeing a young soul die due to retrogressive cultural practices; and an idea to start a rescue centre came in to my mind,” Rev Chochoi, 60, added.
Reports show that the practice is contributing to high illiteracy rates among women in the area, with more than 90 percent of them not completing school.
Baringo County Commissioner Henry Wafula warned that parents who subject their children to any form inhuman acts like FGM will be arrested and prosecuted.
“We are on high alert and we will not tolerate any archaic cultural practices that would amount to violation of children rights. Our children should not fear staying at home as it is our duty to protect them,” the administrator said.
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