A fresh wave of concern has gripped Kiambu County following reports of a resurgence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), with leaders warning that a secretive sect could be behind new cases targeting vulnerable girls.
Thika Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the National Assembly Social Protection Committee, Alice Nganga, raised the alarm after intelligence reports indicated isolated incidents of the outlawed practice, despite the county having made significant progress in eliminating FGM over the years.
Speaking during a brief meeting at the Kiambu National Polytechnic (KINAP) ahead of a Women Empowerment Forum organised by the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF), the MP cautioned that the emerging trend threatens to reverse hard-earned gains achieved through sustained anti-FGM campaigns.
Nganga noted that Kiambu had for years been recognised as one of the counties in the Mount Kenya region that had successfully reduced FGM prevalence through community sensitisation, alternative rites of passage, and close collaboration between government agencies and local leaders. However, the latest reports suggest the vice could be creeping back in hidden forms.
Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, who attended the engagement, called for immediate and firm action to curb the vice before it spreads further. She emphasised the government’s responsibility in safeguarding women and girls from harmful cultural practices, noting that any resurgence of FGM would not be tolerated.
The CS urged county governments, security agencies, community leaders and civil society organisations to intensify surveillance, strengthen awareness campaigns and ensure strict enforcement of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act. She reiterated Kenya’s commitment to ending FGM by 2026, warning that any signs of backsliding must be dealt with decisively.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed fears that when FGM is linked to sects or underground groups, it becomes more difficult to detect, often targeting young girls under the guise of cultural or spiritual practices. This, they noted, calls for renewed vigilance and stronger community reporting mechanisms.
The Women Empowerment Forum held at KINAP brought together women entrepreneurs, youth groups and local leaders to discuss economic empowerment, skills development and gender equality. Speakers underscored the link between financial independence and the fight against harmful practices, noting that empowered women and girls are better equipped to resist cultural pressure.
Local leaders have now called on residents to remain alert and report any suspected cases to authorities, assuring them of protection and swift action. They also pushed for increased funding for anti-FGM programmes and expanded community dialogues to counter emerging threats.
Stakeholders resolved to scale up coordinated efforts, including school-based awareness campaigns, engagement with religious and cultural leaders, and enhanced monitoring in areas where such practices may thrive unnoticed, as Kiambu moves to protect its gains against FGM.
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