Press Statement: Its important to give the right perspective on a story that was aired on Citizen TV early this week, on Samburu elders and the issue of FGM. For three days one of the age sets of the Samburu Community from the entire county held meetings to discuss the direction of the leadership of the County, and other issues like Security, Education, Illicit brew, and Land. They also discussed their position on FGM. On the last day of their meeting the Elders called all the political leaders of Samburu County and shared their resolutions. One of them was one that many of us did not see coming; the endorsement of Female Genital Mutilation. We, as the political leaders, informed the elders that their position on FGM goes against the laws of Kenya. We explained to them that as part of Kenya we as the Samburu cannot have cultural practices that go against the laws of the land. We made it quite clear that FGM is prohibited. As a young lady from this community, I feel the pain of other young girls, and women, on this issue. I personally have taken a stand against this practice. I am working closely with Hon. Linah Jelimo on the same. However I can admit that I am glad that our elders, who we respect greatly, have finally accepted to bring this issue to the public arena. As a leader from the Samburu community I feel we are now ready, as a community, to candidly deliberate on how to finally stop this practice all together; as a community. The Elders meeting has shown us clearly who the real gate keepers of cultural practices are. A fact that all those who have been working to see an end to this must appreciate and incorporate them. It has also shown us that we must go beyond teaching women and girls about the dangers of FGM, and incorporate our brothers and Fathers into this discussion. There comes a time when a womans war must be fought by men. FGM is such a war and we know that we can count on our brothers and fathers to do whats right for their sisters, wives and mothers. Senator Naisula Lesuuda
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 11:27:10 +0000
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