IS THE APPROACH OF ELIMINATING FGM IN KENYA USING THE RIGHT APPROACH?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current approach by the people of Kenya on eliminating FGM among the locals. Female Genital Mutilation is a social nonconformist which has existed in Kenya just like in other countries. This research was based on review of literature, authors own experiences about female genital mutilation in his own community in Rift valley in Kenya. This study will describe Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya and evaluate the various approaches used to encourage the society to abandon Female Genital mutilation in Kenya. However, it is worth to note that the fight to eliminate the FGM has full support of the previous and the current Government but the one million question which this research will try to find out Is the approach of Eliminating FGM among the locals in Kenya the right approach?. This study finds evidence that suggests that Kenya’s performance in this vice is far below international expectation as the practice is still there though in hiding or behind public knowledge. Several deaths are met as a results of the same and there is a likelihood that many are not reported or some of the over bleeding victims are not take to hospitals for treatment and hence leading to several complication in the later part of life. It is on the context that the research finds that there is a likelihood to change the approach of discouraging the practice instead of using punitive measures like police harassment, chief or Government administration threatening the people, a new social based and participatory approach should be used to seek the buy-in by the society on the need to eliminate FGM in the communities around them. A primary data analysis which uses data gathered through interviews and secondary data analysis which involves the utilization of existing data collected from the existing documents, questionnaires and interviews shall be conducted within sampled and selected individuals which according to the researcher are likely to provide an objective view of the evaluation of the practices or common view by those who practice and those who understand their society needs. The target population under study was 80 individual in 8 counties or regions in Kenya, the distribution is to cover at least 15 Government administrators from the 15 different locations where it is assumed that the practice is higher than other regions, 10 elders from the identified areas who are mature enough to give independent opinion on the evaluation of current Government directives, 15 Officers working in Gender Department within the Ministry of Gender, Sports and Social Services, 40 Girls who have undergone the practice (FGM) recently or some years back and have an opinion on their views of the same, 20 of the girls who have been rescued by the Government or Church and secluded from the others to avoid any force full or influence towards going back to the practice. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data, tables, charts and graphs are used to illustrate findings. A conclusion on approach and recommendations to the future expectation as per the research in Kenya and the need for potential donors to understand the happening and views from the common people in Kenya about FGM.