Naivasha: Gender activists and government officials from Kenya and Tanzania are preparing to curb an anticipated rise in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among the Kuria community during the December 2026 season, following a pause last year. Already, 13 Kuria clans, four in Kenya and nine in Tanzania, have planned to undergo circumcision simultaneously later this year. During the December 2025 season, only the Bwirege clan, which spans both countries, carried out circumcision. Efforts to curb cross-border FGM continue to face challenges.
According to Kenya News Agency, officials and activists from both countries met in Tarime, Tanzania, to strengthen coordination ahead of the upcoming season. Vincent Mwita, an activist with Tunaweza Empowerment based in Kenya, emphasized the need to map out effective strategies to stop cross-border circumcision in December. He highlighted that the meeting aimed at ensuring that rescue centres for girls fleeing FGM are closer to the border and that arrests of suspects and monitoring of circumcisers crossing the border are better coordinated.
Mwita further noted that Tanzania’s election period last year contributed to a lapse in enforcement, which had previously been countered by an active communication channel. Michael Marwa of C-Sema, based in Mara Province, Tanzania, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the past disruptions of cross-border activities.
Authorities reported a disturbing trend where eight boys and men who underwent circumcision in hospitals were forced to undergo re-circumcision, with two suspects arrested in Kenya. Additionally, 120 girls were rescued after fleeing circumcision, with two active court cases ongoing. In Tanzania, officials controlled eight hotspot areas for cross-border circumcision, with two cases still under investigation.
Major Edward Ngoele, Tarime District Commissioner, through District Secretary Salm Mwaisenye, stated that 63 children in 48 schools, both secondary and primary, were protected from circumcision. Officials also monitored 63 health facilities in the border region to promote anti-FGM messages. In 2019, Kenya joined Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania in forming joint task forces to end cross-border circumcision among communities that transcend national borders.
Ngoele expressed that the ability for children to escape FGM underscores the necessity for regional governments to remain vigilant. He emphasized the importance of awareness among the younger generation regarding the issue. Across the Mara region, Tanzania provided Tsh10.2 million in health insurance for about 2,000 elders and Tsh1.063 billion in digital funds to 60 groups as alternatives to FGM.
Mwaisenye mentioned that a similar forum was held in Tarime in July last year and urged for additional meetings before August 2026 to establish clear work plans to disrupt FGM practices.
