Radio Vuna

Female Genital Mutilation in Kisii and Nyamira

Written by Nyachae Brian on August 1, 2023

The following is a translation of the views of listeners who called in after a discussion on matters Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) during a radio talk show at Radio Vuna on 31^st July, 2023. The talk show was done in local language (Gusii)

I moderated the discussion featuring Dr Charles Tinega, psychologist and author, Esnahs Nyaramba, CEO Onsembe CBO, Noah Opande, assistant church elder at Etono SDA and Project Manager at Otopan Construction LTD.

Some callers did not identify themselves on air. The views are presented chronologically from the first caller to the last.

A caller by the name Maasai, Narok County

A girl child should be left the way she was created. When they are circumcised they hardly respond to sex stimulation. A man finishes his sexual urge long before she is ready for intercourse. They are supposed to finish together. Traditionally the Maasai community used to circumcise girls, but nowadays they don’t do it fearing being arrested

Evelyn from Marani

As we grew up we just saw girls being circumcised. We knew it was done for us to understand and learn how to respect elders. Now we wonder hearing it has connection with libido. Infidelity is just about one’s character. However they need to educate us more on this. We can maintain the traditional way of just pricking the clitoris

Personally I was told the reason I got circumcised was a transition to adulthood. I was thought on how to live respectively. They used a razor. I personally have not witnessed anyone circumcise girls, however it would be possible there are those doing it secretly

Daniel from Menyinkwa, Kisii County

There are women who went through the cut but still are promiscuous. It is about a person’s character and upbringing. My grandfather tells me FGM was done to “cool down” the women sexually.

Unidentified, Nyamira County

I wonder why they say girls should not be circumcised. I hear women whisper that FGM helps a girl not to be promiscuous by taming her libido. One woman from Kamba community told me that they don’t practice FGM. For that reason they have a high urge for sex. Though the government is advocating against it, they have not educated us why we should not do it. Some of these people campaigning against it have actually done it, or they are doing it to their children. Anti-FGM campaigns is a creation of some people who don’t understand the reasons clearly themselves. FGM is important to tame a woman sexually, giving her a “balance”

Vincent, Nyamira

We have to look matters FGM Biblically, scientifically and culturally. All science has its origin in the Bible. In the Bible there is no record of a girl circumcised.

I have done analysis in Kisii and the rate of promiscuity is higher compared to communities that are not practicing FGM. There are girls who have undergone the cut but still have children outside wedlock.

I have not seen any link between FGM and taming libido. The purpose of marriage Biblically is for a man and woman to come together and meet each other’s sexual desires. Circumcising a woman increases chances for infidelity.

Many of our sons are leaving their wives and going for women who are not circumcised from other communities. A girl even though not circumcised, if she is brought up well and taught good morals, she can lead a virtuous life.

Research shows that many marriages are breaking up because of FGM. God had a purpose for every organ He put in a human being and therefore none should be mutilated

Unidentified

You have said Biblically women were not circumcised. The Bible doesn’t even recognize girls who were born but only mentions sons. Even in the feeding of 5000 people by Jesus, only men are mentioned. We can’t therefore argue against FGM by citing the Bible.

These days, girls who are promiscuous are those uncircumcised. They have serious discipline challenges. Even there dressing is promiscuous.

If we look at the boys who we circumcise, only few have challenges with basic discipline like way of dressing. Many homes now have girls with children outside wedlock. They have now circumcised their ears through piercing.

Traditionally when we were circumcised we were taught good morals. The uncircumcised ladies are now even seducing men. We are losing these generation by rallying against FGM. They even don’t want to normally deliver children, many preferring caesarian delivery

Abel, Nyamira County

That mama (caller above) has spoken well and this is the reality. Girls of these days who have not gone through the cut are now piercing their nose, ears, tongues and many other unprintable things they are doing. They are the same walking naked. They cheat on their husbands.

The government just needs to allow our people go back to the tradition of circumcising girls. The modern girls who are uncircumcised do not even have the courage to give birth naturally. That mama has said the truth.

The government just heard from the western world that FGM is not good and rushed to implement it without considering our values as Kisii people. Women from communities not practicing FGM are actually very promiscuous, I have lived with them and can attest. Let us go back to our tradition of circumcising girls.