Anti FGM crusaders in West Pokot County have appealed to the law enforcement agencies to tighten their grip and make sure that those who still circumcise girls are arrested and brought to justice.
West Pokot, which is dominantly inhabited by pastoralist communities, has for decades been a region where the retrogressive practice is still done, although its prevalence has dropped recently due to frequent sensitization and educating the girl child.
One organization, People On Mission International(POM), through its director, Rev. Julius Murgor who was also former Kapenguria MP said that they have for decades educated several girls that has seen those from poor background and vulnerable kept in rescue centres.
Rev. Murgor added that they have close to one thousand girls who have run away from FGM and are now undergoing education at Kodich Rescue Centre in West pokot and another in Chemolingot in Tiaty Baringo County.
He added that they have as an organization sponsored several children from primary level to university that has become a great pillar in fighting for the rights of girl child within the Pokot community.
He appealed to the provincial administration through chiefs who are at the grassroots to be on high alert this festive season that people tend to expose young girls to the cut.
Rebecca Chebet, Project Manager Anti FGM, said that they have trained over three hundred young girls on the dangers of FGM to enable them resist being lured to face the cut.
Rebecca who spoke at Cheptuya AIC church appealed to other organizations to engage the youth this long December holiday since most girls are vulnerable to early forced marriages and circumcision.
She said that though the fight has been ongoing, a few challenges are being faced through the migration of residents to the neighbouring country of Uganda during time of drought in search of water and pasture where such young girls are not traceable and become easy target to be married off easily or circumcised.
She added that they are in top gear in partnering with other related organizations from Uganda to deal with cross border child rights and monitor them for total eradication of the vice where even this year one standard eight candidate was married off and escaped to Uganda to avoid being arrested.
Former West Pokot woman MP Mrs. Regina Nyeris applauded the organization for being at the forefront in sensitizing the community on dangers of the retrogressive vice.
She further said though the community has now days changed the mode of doing the cut where they do it silently unlike before where it was through song and dance in broad day light.