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There are still cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nairobi, with high numbers reported in Kamukunji and parts of Embakasi East constituencies.

Nairobi County Head of Gender Based Violence Response Roselyn Mukabana yesterday said that data shows that at least 2,000 women who went to deliver in health facilities last year had complications related to FGM.

“High numbers were coming from areas of Kamkunji and parts of Embakasi East. We as a county are in a transition area where maybe children are brought in to undergo FGM and we are trying to see what is the best way we can ensure we have zero tolerance to FGM as envisioned by the national government,” said Mukabana.

Zero tolerance

She made the remarks during a Nairobi County gender sector working group meeting.

“According to data that we have, a total of about 2,000 women who came to deliver in our health facilities had complications related to FGM. So this year during the World Day of zero tolerance to FGM, we thought that as a county, despite us not being among the 22 hotspots, it is right that we see what we can do,” she said.

The official said the county is committed on ending FGM and is working with other partners, who are ready to support the county to identify areas where the practice is rampant.

She said they will also collaboratively do an assessment of the situation to come up with data that will support the county to undertake good interventions and programming.

Mukabana also revealed that there is an increase in sodomy cases in Nairobi and urged parents to more vigilant about their children.

“When your school going boy comes home when he has soiled himself, do not be quick to punish him. We take note that we parents rush to punish the children without asking,” she said.

“We are noting a high number of children undergoing sodomy. In our data we almost had about 100 last year and most of these boys range from the ages of four to 15. Most of these cases either happen within the school compound with children of the same age or with adults. Social media has also brought the issue of TikTok where someone would want to use the children,” added Mukabana.

She said that the county is putting in place measures to create awareness, early reporting and response and having victims taken to health facilities for care.

The county, she said, is also empowering the children to know what needs to be done in such situations because sodomy is associated with stigma and the boys may not be able to report it.

She said the county Government is creating awareness through the school programme.