According to residents in Kuria, hundreds of girls, some as young as ten years old, have fled their homes to avoid the traditional rite which is scheduled for December among the Abagumbe clan.
The girls are reported to have escaped within a period of one week to avoid forced female genital mutilation (FGM).
Mr John Gichoro, a resident of Nyabohanse village, said that preparations for the cultural celebrations were already ongoing even as the Government issued a stern warning that it would arrest and prosecute any parent or guardian subjecting children to the backward practice.
Speaking in the area, Nyanza PC Mr Francis Mutie who toured the region last week described the rite as retrogressive and asked the community’s leaders to find alternative ways of ushering their children to adult-hood.
"This is something that has to change as it denies our girls a chance to lead a normal life," he said adding that researchers have confirmed the practice has no benefit to the girls or the community.
There have been reports of some parents believed to be faking their daughters’ disappearance to enable them mutilate them secretly in their homes.(holding them hostages in their own home)
A number of organsiations fighting the vice in the region have been urged to establish secluded camps where girls would be trained on alternative rites of passage.
Kuria west district children’s officer John Langat said his office in collaboration with a number of NGOs the police, the provincial administration and churches, had taken the necessary measures to protect girls from being forced to face the knife.
"We are aware of those planning to launch this rite within the abagumbe clan but we are not going to allow them infringe the rights of their daughters this time round," Mr Langat warned.
The Kuria community has four clans, which practice the outlawed rite of passage in liaison with their kin in Tanzania.
This is also an opportunity for human traffickers to get this girls, believe me many disappear for good:(((. please donate today to Mashua voice for the voiceless international.inc a tax deductible for a donation of 10 or more we send a personalized post card to a girl rescued, we can also send you a bumper sticker or a button. in that way we give shelter to the girls as we have families who are ready to take them in, on the right side of our blog you will see a donate button, I have rescued girls every year with the help f foot soldiers on the ground using my own money but this time around for the first time I am asking for your financial support.
Ambassador Lucy Mashua
Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rights
Global Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGM
Lobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack.
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