Narok clerics pledge to work with Government to end Female genital mutilation

Narok, Kenya; Preachers from more than 15 churches in Trans Mara, have pledged to work with agencies fighting female genital mutilation in the area.

The clergy supported the Government’s efforts in fighting the outdated cultural practice as well as ending early marriages that were still rampant in the area.

According to the leaders, cases of early marriages were high in the region because of the outdated rite of passage.

Speaking in Enosaine Town in Trans Mara yesterday, the church leaders led by Bishop Peter Nasiwa attributed the high prevalence of FGM in the area to low literacy levels.

“Most of those who support FGM are mainly adherents of archaic traditions which have made this community lag behind in advancing the rights of the girl child. We will work with the Government and other agencies in ensuring the practice is totally eliminated,” said Bishop Peter Nasiwa

They also condemned a recent incident where more than 2,000 women from Trans Mara sub-county staged demonstrations to support the practice. The women later attacked anti-FGM activists who were on the mission to rescue girls who were undergoing the cut.

They held the activists hostage for more than eight hours before they were rescued by police from Kilgoris.

And barely a fortnight ago, a group of women in the county clashed with authorities when they were busted preparing to circumcise some girls.

Seek bribes

The clergy also condemned civil society organisations that they claimed solicit bribes from those found carrying out the rite to let them off the hook.

“We can end these practice if the civil society organisations working here engage the church and also stop corruption which we have always witnessed,” said Paul Lesere, another clergyman.

A study carried out by groups involved in the fight against the practice in Narok revealed that its prevalence stands at over 70 per cent in the area.

This, they said, was partly to blame for the high drop out rate among girls.