The Gusii football icons argue that new trends in the fight against FGM continue to facilitate the vice and water down their efforts in curbing what is becoming a norm.
Even as various stakeholders including the government make progress in the fight against these vices, they fear that there are disparate voices that continue to champion the practices to the disadvantage of their endurance and commitment.
Keep Reading
- Seven First Ladies join hands in fight against FGM as Kuria community vow to end vice
- Borana leaders urge elders to enforce FGM ban
- First Lady calls action on rising FGM cases
- Anti-FGM advocates want law amended to deter practitioners
The trio feel certain norms in the community are to be blamed for the rising cases of early child marriages.
Mayaka who is the front man amongst the trio said that even though they are yet to register an organisation of their own to deal with the issues, their low-key efforts have saved a handful of girls from FGM and child marriages totaling to slightly over 15.
"It's pity that even during this modern world we live in today some elderly people still believe FGM is part of the traditional and cultural practice," said Mayaka.
"The community is built towards listening to our leaders and elders and this brings pressure to some parents who are forced to engage in the cut and worse send their underage girls to early marriage."
Mayaka was born in 1969 and played for Shabana while studying at Kisii School from 1985 to 1989. He joined Kenya Textile Millers (KTM) in 1990 before returning to Shabana in 1991.
In 1992, he moved to Kisumu Posta where he played until his retirement in 2008.
On the other hand, Motego went to Boitangare Primary school and later joined Kisii High school, where he was for only one week.
He proceeded to Cardinal Otunga High school- Mosocho for Form One and Form Two and later ended up at the once football powerhouse; Itierio Secondary School, where he sat his KCSE.
Motego is probably the most famous footballer to have come from the Gusii region.
He last played for Kenya in 1992 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal and Kenya Breweries in 1998.
Shem Nyaberi was the top scorer of the then Kenya Premier League in 1993 and 1994 while playing for Kenya Breweries.