Kenya-Finland programme boosts FGM war in Samburu

Beneficiaries of the three year Kenya- Finland bilateral programme on FGM and gender-based violence in Samburu County, during a meeting in Maralal town on January 17, 2025. [Michael Saitoti, Standard]

A three-year bilateral programme between the government and Finland has boosted efforts to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation in Samburu county.

Dr Josephine Obonyo, the State Department Gender and Affirmative Action secretary, said since the launch of the programme the region has recorded a reduction in FGM cases.

However, Obonyo called for concerted efforts to eradicate FGM practice and end the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on women.

"For the three years we have been working with Finland, we have been able to reduce the cases of gender-based violence and FGM.

"Now that the program has faced off, the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, in collaboration with the county government, will continue to implement gender-based violence-related activities," she said.

FGM involves the partial or total removal of the female clitoris. This practice has led to the deaths of many women and girls and also contributes to the prevalence of teenage marriages.

This practice is still being carried out in the villages within Samburu county.

Some elders believe that women who have undergone the cut are faithful to their husbands. However, the claim lacks scientific proof.

Doctors have documented painful childbirth experiences among women who underwent circumcision.

Ann Wathoran, the Head of cooperation at the Finland Embassy in Kenya, said she was satisfied with the results of the programme, and the positive response in the three years.

"We today celebrate the response and prevention of FGM and gender-based violence. The program has had a positive response. We hope that the knowledge and skills imparted to the community will be sustainable," Wathoran said.

Joy Letooyia, the Samburu County Chief Officer of Gender and Culture, assured that the county government would pick up from where the bilateral programme has left saying it is difficult to end GBV if there are no immediate interventions.

Evelyne Lessatin, a beneficiary of the programME, said her training in psychology counseling, would be key in handling pupils.

"I now have skills in contracting and listening to our pupils. I can now analyse the problems that are related to our pupils. Now that the programme has ended, I will engage other teachers to equip them with the skills I acquired," Lessatin said.

Another beneficiary, Benson Lemayan, said he would talk to young men about the harmful effects of FGM and other forms of GBV.

"One takeaway from this progress is that putting an end to FGM requires the active involvement of boys and men. Lack of education and opportunities for these morans has contributed to them perpetuating this vice.

In Samburu culture, morans (young unmarried men) are some of the greatest supporters of FGM. This forces the girls to undergo FGM to make them eligible for marriage.