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Five county women representatives have condemned a recent incident where a women in Kajiado held a procession to advocate for female circumcision.
The five legislators led by Meru County Women Rep Florence Kajuju said female genital mutilation is a primitive practice that has no place in the 21st century.
“While we have a duty to preserve our culture, anything that might take us back to where we came from should not be entertained,’’ added Kajuju.
Harmful effects
Her sentiments were echoed by area Senator Mary Seneta, who called for stepping up of campaigns aimed at sensitising residents on the harmful effects of the female cut.
“I know many women from my community will not like to hear this, but as leaders, we must come out and tell our people the truth,’’ added Seneta.
She said area leaders are set to meet on Thursday to come up with a common stand on the issue.
The leaders, who included Priscilla Nyokabi (Nyeri), Cecilia Ngetich (Bomet) and Zipporah Kering (Nandi), spoke during a funds drive for the construction of classrooms at Olturoto Primary School in Isinya Kajiado County.
Recently, a group of women from the Maasai community matched for 15 kilometers from Enkorika to Sajilioni demanding that they be allowed to continue circumcising their girls.
They vowed to do whatever it takes to maintain their culture.
The women also roughed up area MCA Ntati Ole Lesere during the protest march, accusing him of being a traitor.
The group also destroyed property of unknown value at the Sajilioni market and temporarily paralysed activities in the town.
AN outcast
They said girls who are not circumcised risk becoming outcasts, as no Maasai men would want to marry them.
The women also claimed girls who have not undergone FGM are a bad omen to the family and the society.
A month ago, a 13-year-old girl died in a botched FGM exercise in the same area. FGM proponents in the area, however, termed the death as an isolate incident, adding that it only befalls those whose parents have a curse.
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