Baringo County, Kenya – Health experts in Baringo County have recently expressed significant concerns over an emerging trend in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), particularly targeting women over 30 years of age. This worrying development was highlighted during discussions among stakeholders, noting that older women are being coerced into undergoing FGM in remote areas of the county, especially during festive seasons.

According to Kenya News Agency, while there has been a national decline in FGM prevalence, Baringo County is experiencing a contrary trend. The report indicates that 21.2 percent of women in Baringo have been subjected to this harmful practice, compared to the national average of 15 percent.

Michael Ngetich, the County Chief Officer (CO) for Economic Planning, expressed dismay at this regression during the KDHS County dissemination workshop held at a Kabarnet hotel. He emphasized the need for stringent measures to combat this illegal practice, which undermines progress made in eradicating FGM, particularly among younger girls. Ngetich urged relevant authorities to take decisive action against such outdated cultural practices.

Highlighting findings from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Ngetich pointed out Baringo County’s poor performance in maternal and child health. The statistics show alarming rates of neonatal, infant, and under-five mortalities across the county’s seven sub-counties. He stressed the importance of a collaborative approach across different sectors to improve the living standards of the county’s residents.

Kabarnet Assistant County Commissioner Jane Suter also expressed her concerns, noting the prevalence of FGM in parts of Mogotio, Tiaty, and the lower areas of Baringo North and Marigat Sub-counties. Suter called for a united front to eradicate this harmful practice, emphasizing its detrimental effects on women and girls in the affected communities.

Paul Samoei, KNBS senior manager and team leader at the meeting, encouraged professionals to investigate the root causes of these illegal practices and develop alternative solutions to address the issue effectively.