Culture And Female Genital Mutilation In Kenya. The Case Study Of Transnzoia District

ABSTRACT

This study labored to analyze the factors responsible for the persistence female

circumcision among the Pokot ofK.ipsaina division in Trans Nzoia district.

It was realized that despite the tireless efforts by the international community to stop

Female circumcision the practice still goes on in Kenya.

The indigenous people take it for cultural, religious, social conformity, sexuality control;

among other items thus perpetuate it.

Chapter one contains the historical background of Female circumcision, problem,

statement of the study, the purpose of the study, objectives which focused on the roles of

indigenous people in perpetuating the practice.

The failures ofNGO's and civic government of Kenya to stop the practice, hypothesis of

the study, scope, signification and the limitations of the study.

The study took place in Kipsaina division of Trans Nzoia district of Kenya using a

sample population of 230 respondents consisting of circumcised and uncircumcised

women and men both married and unmarried, medical personnel, NGO workers,

government officials and traditional plus cultural leaders. The researcher was challenged

by inadequate funding, and the presidential election violence between December 2007

and January 2008.

Chapter two contains literature review where it was discovered that indigenous people

perpetuate F .C/FGM because they take it cultural and tradition, need to control women

sexuality, social identity, social pressure (acceptability) and shows ones braveness and

readiness to fight for her nation thus making the practice persistent.

NGOs have failed to end the practice because of inadequate funds, not firmly established

on ground, uncommitted workers, don't have legal authority to penalize culprits. The

civic government has failed to end the practice because the central government is

reluctant to empower them to end the practice, the parliament is reluctant among other

items. Chapter three contains the methodology of the study, where primary data was gathered

using qualitative methods like interviews, focus group discussions, and observation and

quantitative methods where questionnaires were used. Secondary data was gathered

through library search. Data was descriptively analyzed and presented in a statistical way

where percentages, ratios were integrated in charts, tables, and graphs.

Chapter four contains presentation and interpretation of data where the reasons given in

chapter two were the similar ones respondents presented that have led to the persistence

ofF.C/FGM in Kipsaina division of Trans Nzoia District. Chapter five presents conclusions, recommendations and appendices.