By Press Statement

On behalf of the civil society organizations, religious leaders, boda boda, youth and stakeholders in solidarity with the hundreds of girls in Kuria-Migori County, Kenya at risk of undergoing FGM we have conducted a rapid analysis of the ongoing FGM in Kuria in a meeting with the mentioned stakeholders yesterday at Kehancha.

During the meeting we realized a number of key issues in regards to the ongoing situation in different parts of Kuria that we wish to address in this press statement.

We hope that all interested stakeholders, state and non-state actors, media and the civil society, religious leaders and the private sector, the political class, academia, women, men, youth, PWD and all citizens will join in this message to the county and country to urgently respond to this matter now and in the future.

We conducted the meeting and this press statement to enable the stakeholders interrogates the current state of affairs and provides immediate necessary action to the issues raised. We also share these issues as they are critical for the wellbeing of girls who are home for a long holiday and at risk of FGM/C. We laud the government and other stakeholders responding to the ongoing FGM/C in Kuria –Migori County  by;

· Setting up of holding centers in all the police stations in Kuria (Ntimaru, Kegonga, Kehancha and Mabera) equipped with beds and mattresses.

· Facilitating rescue of girls and arrest of perpetrators in liaison with community monitors who are reporting FGM/C cases.

· Setting up of temporary rescue centers in different parts of Kuria managed by Faith Based Organizations, CBOs and NGOs.

· Supply of food stuff, mattresses, pads, toiletries among other items to these rescue centers. We are however deeply concerned with the following issues that are derailing efforts to eradicate FGM in Kuria; The Issues

• 1. There is an increase in the number of FGM/C cases being reported according to police reports. Approximately 312 girls have been rescued so far, approximately 26 unfortunately been confirmed cut and many others unreported due to nature of the occurrence. This number is keeps increasing day by day and expected to go higher with reports emerging that the Nyabasi clan which was initially denounced FGM/C the ceremonies this year is already having plans to start the ceremonies.
• 2. The ongoing Exams management and FGM/C patrols have left the police force depleted of the numbers to efficiently respond to the emergency situation. Some of those available are often fatigued and with the competing and inadequate resources i.e. fuel for patrols and arrests.
• 3. Ongoing FGM along the Kenya Tanzania boarder at Mutiniti region in Ntimaru and Kebeyo area in Gokeharaka.
• 4. A number of frontline campaigners, community policing surveillance informants and other community members have been harassed and threatened by some of the perpetrators of FGM/C who are still at large.
• 5. There is inadequate supply of basic provisions at the available holding and temporary rescue centers; food, beddings, pads and space for hosting more if the situation heightens.
• 6. Lack of political good will from the elected leaders to directly respond to FGM/C by either;
• I. Making a public clarion call/statement stopping the ongoing FGM/C in both Kuria west and Kuria east constituencies.
• II. Support the ongoing rescue initiatives in Kuria. We therefore call upon the national government, Anti FGM board and county government to;
• 1. Ensure that all the chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders of the most affected areas come out clearly on their role in responding to FGM/C especially those who areas have been mentioned as hotspots for FGM.
• 2. Ensure that the cultural elders whom a lot of investment and several engagements had previously made by the migori county government and other stakeholders and committed an end to FGM/ to give their response to the ongoing FGM/C cases in Kuria-Migori County, Kenya.

3. Ensure we have a state of the county public address by the governor which takes stock of the county priority projects

4. Allocate more police officers and resources i.e. fuel to the patrol units to facilitate arrests, rescue and offering security to the public and frontline campaigners.

5. Support the existing holding centers and rescue centers with basic commodities i.e. food, blankets, mattresses, pads, clothes and medicine.

6. Fast track prosecution and judgement for cases of those that have been arrested on accounts of FGM/C to serve as an example to those planning to conduct the act now and in the future. This press statement is given by the representatives of Civil Society organizations in Kuria, clergy, youth and media on this 20th Day of December 2022.

Organizations

• 1. Tunaweza Empowerment Organization Representatives.
• 2. Kuria West Network Representatives
• 3. Safe Engage Foundation Representatives.
• 4. Touch One life Representatives.
• 5. Cross Boarder Mutiniti CBO Representatives.
• 6. Msichana Empowerment Kuria Representatives.
• 7. GOCESO Women Network Representatives.
• 8. Kuria Students Association (KUSA) Representatives.
• 9. Youth Parliament Representatives.
• 10. Boda boda Riders Representatives.
• 11. Religious Leaders Representatives (Kuria East and Kuria West).