Mombasa transgender child threatens to chop off breasts

As we sit down for an interview with the headteacher of an orphanage school in Mombasa, one thing is certain: He is unsure whether to refer to Amina (not her real name) as girl or boy. So, he opts to call the class-four pupil by name.

Young Amina was born a girl, but from an early age she has always been a tomboy. The 12-year-old Amina claims to be “fine and happy” as a boy.

“One of Amina’s neighbours got concerned when the child allegedly confided in her that she was going to chop off her breasts immediately they start developing,” says the headteacher. “We have tried to accommodate Amina, but we are concerned about the uncertainties of puberty,” says the headteacher.

The gender identity problem notwithstanding, Amina is a top pupil in class. Last term, she scored 367 marks out of 500, which put her at position three in a class of 45 pupils. Teachers also praise the child for being disciplined.

Amina’s elder sister believes the condition can be ‘treated.’ The 22-year-old mother of two, also takes care of her five other siblings since they were orphaned in 2004.

Edith Mithamo, a counseling officer with Professional Counseling Centre in Mombasa says most children with a gender identity problem rarely open up, a majority of whom go about their life with the burden and fear of being rejected.

 Mithamo says Amina’s condition calls for assessment by relevant medical specialists such as psychiatrists, sexologists, psychologists and geneticists.

Audrey Mbugua’s case is among the most publicised gender identity disorder cases in the country.

The 30-year-old Audrey was born Andrew Mbugua but opted to identify as a woman after completing high school.