Female cut season in Kenya is here, ‘star’ predicts

The fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) in Elgeyo-Marakwet County has continued to face setbacks as locals peg the outdated practice on perceptions and myths. This move has worried key players advocating for alternate rites of passage.

A razor allegedly used to admionister the curt in FGM. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

The community normally uses stars to predict circumcision seasons. According to locals, just recently, elders sighted a specific star in July that predicted that December was the ideal time for conducting the outlawed exercise.

The sighting of the star in the community puts at risk women and girls who have not undergone the cut at time the country is celebrating 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

Anti-FGM Board Chairperson Linah Kilimo expressed anger over the incident and insisted that those behind it should be prosecuted.

She said laws are currently in place that protect the rights of women against oppression and cautioned those still practicing the vice. The chair observed that the fight against the vice is global and cushioned by numerous laws.

"The Constitution protects women against oppression that includes those forced to undergo the cut, as does the Protocol of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights adopted in Maputo in 2003, which advocates for an end to FGM. Women ought to be informed about their rights," she said.

Ms Kilimo spoke in Tot after accompanying Samburu and Maasai elders, women and Amref officials for a sensitisation exercise against FGM.

"The visit was preceded by the information on the ground that the locals had sighted a star and are currently gearing up for the cut. Our mission is to disapprove their claims because their acts have continued to snatch dignity and human rights from women, yet they deserve respect," she said.

Samburu example

She said many communities are still using cultural beliefs to promote the retrogressive practice despite numerous campaigns, a move that has dampened efforts to curb the vice.

"We want the county to borrow a leaf from Samburu on how they have been able to contain the harmful cultural practice and we believe that the locals will learn a lot," she added.

Kilimo stressed the need for parents to protect their children from being lured into the vice by giving them guidance besides ensuring that they value education.

"Gone are the days when fathers would allow their children to be circumcised so that they could hold big celebrations and marry them off.

We are championing for them to access education so that they can be successful in future," she said. County Gender Executive Magarine Serem, maintained that they would work with the administration to ensure the vice is eradicated from the region.