A spike in FGM cases is being reported in remote areas of West Pokot County with perpetrators changing their ways by cutting girls in homesteads at night without normal celebrations.

On Wednesday night, Capemedia. africa carried out a snap survey and met two girls who were cut at Kokwotuyunwo village, Ptiasisi area in Lomut ward where the girls, two parents and one circumciser were nabbed.

The five culprits are being held in custody at Lomut police station waiting to be arraigned in court for undertaking outlawed practice. Chepkohkoh Location Chief Joseph Kasalitich said they arrested the 5 at 4 am while committing the act in a home.

He pointed out the outdated vice is being practiced secretly.

“They sing church songs and choruses at night without celebrations in homes. We were tipped off by locals that circumcision had taken place in the
area,” he said.

The administrator said that they had intensified patrols in the area to ensure no girl is circumcised.

“We are working closely with the community to arrest more culprits,” he said.

Mr Kasalitich said that they have got many challenges for the last ten years in dealing with FGM cases.

“We have formed committees with village elders and Nyumba kumi who tipped us,” he said.

According to Irep Foundation that fights FGM vices in the area, the vices are on the rise this festive season due to threats from parents who want their daughters cut and peer pressure on young girls from their colleagues.

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FGM has also been rampant due to insecurity where residents become displaced hence girls drop out of school and opt to undergo the cut so that they get married.

However, nongovernmental Organizations have put measures in place to curb the unkind cut through undertaking young girls between the ages of 12-18 through alternative rites of passage.

School girls taught on the dangers of FGM

On Thursday, November 30, 120 girls drawn from FGM-prone villages of Lomut ward which is leading in FGM cases at the rate of 80 per cent graduated after undergoing training and being educated on various issues contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation at Annet Primary School courtesy of Irep Foundation.

Bernard Ogoi from a project coordinator at Journalists for human rights Kenya organization said they train stakeholders on how to track and relay information and report about threats against women and girls at risk of undergoing FGM.

He said young girls at such holidays are frequently forced to undergo the cut and also married off during Christmas seasons.

“In February we met with elders who made a declaration to start advocating against FGM. We talk to girls especially during this December long holiday when girls undergo circumcision by empowering them with skills on how to stay safe hence understanding their reproductive and sexual health right because they are adolescents and they undergo a lot of changes in their bodies,” said Mr Ogoi.

He said that both girls and boys were incorporated in the program to change their mindset and culture and boys to help in eradicating the vice.

“Am sure boys will not marry circumcised girls .The opportunity will help prepare the future of girls,” she said.

He said that the FGM as rite of passage was contributing to maternal health issues.

“We have seen young women in marriage and they have issues with child spacing because they have many children. Parents want their daughters to undergo FGM and pressure from their colleagues and they want to belong hence take themselves to the cutter. One girl has told us that she has convinced her parents to wait for her to finish fourth form till she is cut,” said Mr Ogoi.

The Chairman for Irep Foundation board of Directors, Moses Lokeris who condemned the incident of subjecting girls to FGM said there have been on the rise some areas of West Pokot County and asked the
government to take stern action against those involved in the vice.

“FGM is still high in Chepkohkoh area. Young girls in remote areas need to be sensitized so that they understand the effects of FGM,” he said.

He cited that FGM was also in Marakwet Community where they escape and go to practice the repugnant practice from there when the law is tough in West Pokot.

“We have information that some girls from here have crossed to Marakwet and even the parents who had gone for the ceremony have not come back,” he said.

Additional reporting by :Andrew Juma TV47 West Pokot correspondent.