Efforts to end FGM in Kenya continue to gain momentum, with community-led interventions in West Pokot showing clear signs of progress. Through the Komesha FGM Sasa initiative, a recent mobile caravan led by I-Rep Foundation reached communities across Pokot Central during a critical period when girls are most at risk.
Timed to coincide with the school holidays. When FGM is often carried out in secrecy- the three-day outreach moved through Makutano, Chepareria, Ortum, Marich, Sigor, Chesta, and Lomut, creating spaces for dialogue, awareness, and public commitment.
Reaching Communities at the Right Time
The caravan directly engaged approximately 750 community members, including 230 men and 520 women, ranging from youth and parents to elders, teachers, and local administrators. This was complemented by a radio campaign across four local stations, extending the reach to an estimated 5,000 listeners.
This combined approach, face-to-face engagement alongside mass media, ensured both depth and scale, reinforcing key messages across different audiences.
Strengthening Awareness and Public Commitment
At the core of the caravan was a focus on increasing understanding of the risks and legal implications of FGM, while encouraging communities to move beyond private disapproval towards public rejection.
Open forums held in markets, schools, and community spaces enabled participants to ask questions, challenge misconceptions, and engage in honest discussions. Testimonies, practical examples, and interactive sessions helped simplify complex issues and make them relevant to everyday realities.
Encouragingly, many participants expressed a growing willingness to speak openly against FGM, reflecting a shift in community attitudes.
Youth Leadership Driving Norm Change
Young people played a central role throughout the caravan.
Educated youth demonstrated strong readiness to challenge harmful norms, particularly around marriageability. Notably, young men publicly rejected the belief that only cut girls are suitable for marriage, directly addressing one of the key drivers of FGM.
Young women also engaged actively, linking their futures to education and opportunity, and positioning themselves as advocates for change within their communities.
This emerging youth leadership represents a critical opportunity to accelerate the abandonment of FGM.
The Power of Survivor Voices
A key highlight of the caravan was the role of survivor-led advocacy.
One survivor, known as “Mama Culture,” shared her personal experience of FGM, detailing the long-term physical and emotional consequences. Her testimony resonated strongly with participants and was frequently cited as a moment that shifted perceptions.
By grounding discussions in lived experience, survivor voices helped bridge the gap between awareness and understanding.
Persistent Challenges Beneath the Surface
Despite positive progress, the caravan also highlighted ongoing challenges.
FGM continues to be practiced secretly in some areas, particularly during school holidays. Fear of reporting remains high, often due to the involvement of family members and concerns around social consequences.
Limited law enforcement presence in remote areas, combined with mistrust of external interventions in some communities, further complicates efforts to fully eliminate the practice.
These findings underscore the need for sustained, locally grounded approaches.
Sustaining Momentum Beyond the Caravan
The success of the caravan highlights the importance of continued engagement.
Communities expressed the need for follow-up visits, stronger youth programming, and improved reporting mechanisms to ensure that progress is sustained. Expanding survivor-led advocacy and strengthening collaboration with local leaders will also be key to maintaining momentum.
