Over 500 Maasai women protest FGM ban

Business was disrupted in a remote village in Kajiado County yesterday after chaos erupted during a demonstration to advocate for female genital mutilation.

More than 500 women from the Maasai community protested at Sajiloni shopping centre in Kajiado Central, asking the Government to allow them to continue with the practice.

They matched for 15km from Enkorika to Sajilioni singing pro-FGM songs, saying circumcision of girls is their culture and they are not ready to abandon it.

“We cannot afford to abandon our rich culture. The Government should allow as to continue with it,” said Naomi Naserian, 67.

Kajiado MP (Rtd) Gen Joseph Nkaissery condemned the protests, saying residents carrying out FGM must prepare to face the law.

“These people should be ready to go to jail if found practising this culture that has been overtaken by events,” he warned.

Three journalists, including this writer, were injured and treated at a nearby health centre after demonstrators turned on them, accusing them of being at the forefront of the anti-FGM campaign.

NTV cameraman Abdalah Ngotho and Ms Christine Musa of Mediamax were wounded during the melee. Mr Ngotho’s camera was also damaged.