This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
Published on July 17, 2020, a study by Kapenguria Theatre Group has shed light on the alarming rise of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages in West Pokot County.
The research, conducted over the past six months, found that more than 60% of FGM cases in the county go unreported.
According to the study, the girls who are subjected to FGM are then denied education by being married off by their families.
The group's chairman, Francis Soprin, attributed the high prevalence of FGM in the county to high illiteracy levels and ignorance among girls and women.
'Many cases go unreported. Chiefs fear exposing the culprits because they can lose their jobs for not doing enough to curb the practice,' Mr Soprin said.
He also pointed out that the government's decision to close schools in March to curb the spread of Covid-19 led to a drastic increase in the number of girls being circumcised.
Mr Soprin urged the government to be pragmatic in fighting the cut and to join hands with other stakeholders in the campaign.
He also called on the Education ministry to reconsider the decision to cancel the academic calendar, saying that schools should open early to prevent further circumcisions.
The group has stepped up its anti-FGM campaigns by talking to communities and performing songs, dances, and plays.
Group secretary-general Peter Wafula said that many FGM perpetrators are never prosecuted, creating a false impression that the practice is legal.
He also pointed out that failure to take such families to court affects the fight against the practice.
Mr Wafula said that many victims of the cut do not usually know where to go or who to report to.
