- MPs have called for expanded grassroots data collection to establish the true prevalence of FGM, particularly in remote communities.
- The Anti-FGM Board has requested increased budgetary allocations to sustain safe houses, rescue centres and survivor support programmes.
- The Narok County Anti-FGM Steering Committee has proposed a county GBV data dashboard and a 24-hour referral pathway to strengthen response to FGM cases.
Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Social Protection have called for expanded grassroots data collection to establish the true extent of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and guide interventions aimed at ending the practice.
Speaking during an Anti-FGM consultative meeting in Narok County on Tuesday, Narok North MP Agnes Pareyio, who led the committee delegation, said existing statistics may not fully capture cases occurring in remote villages. Pareyio said the fight against FGM requires comprehensive research and reliable data from affected communities to inform policy, resource allocation and enforcement. “The eradication of FGM needs collaborative efforts from all quarters, and that includes in-depth research and data collection from the deepest parts of our villages,” she said.
The legislator, who previously served as chairperson of the Anti-FGM Board, said interventions should go beyond rescuing victims to include their safe relocation, education and pursuit of justice against perpetrators. She called for perpetrators to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law, saying accountability was critical in efforts to discourage the practice.
Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto said much of the available information on FGM cases is generated from health facilities, potentially leaving out cases handled at community level. He urged the Anti-FGM Board and county steering committees to intensify data collection in remote areas to provide a more comprehensive picture of the vice. Moroto said FGM remains prevalent in some parts of the country despite years of campaigns and interventions, requiring stronger coordination among government agencies, communities and other stakeholders.
The Anti-FGM Board, led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Nyerere Kutwa, asked Parliament to consider increased budgetary allocations to sustain safe houses, rescue centres and survivor support programmes. The Board also called for the strengthening of Gender Desks in police stations and regular refresher training for officers handling gender-based violence cases. It further proposed targeted community interventions in FGM hotspots, including community dialogues, school programmes, survivor-led advocacy and engagement of elders, men, women and young people.
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The Narok County Anti-FGM Steering Committee presented several recommendations, including the establishment of a county GBV data dashboard to consolidate information from the police, health facilities, safe houses, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the gender department and partners. The committee also proposed a 24-hour referral pathway linking police reporting, medical examination, prosecution and judicial support for survivors.
It called for the activation of a rapid-response mechanism for FGM cases to link chiefs, police, gender officers, children officers and other referral actors for timely intervention. The steering committee further recommended strengthening safe-house referrals, with at-risk survivors receiving immediate protection and documented risk assessments before any return to their homes.
The parliamentary delegation is scheduled to hold a similar consultative meeting in Bomet County on Wednesday.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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