A two-day football tournament aimed at mobilizing communities against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was held at Kajiampau Grounds in Kathwana, Tharaka-Nithi County. The event, which started on Saturday, October 5, 2026, attracted a large turnout of young people from Igambang'ombe Constituency. The tournament is part of the Komesha FGM Sasa programme, which seeks to create awareness on the dangers of FGM and encourage young people to reject the practice.
According to Linet Kawira, Chief Executive Officer of Tumaini Africa CBO, the tournament provides an opportunity to bring young people together through sport while creating awareness on the effects of FGM. Kawira stated that statistics indicate that FGM prevalence in Tharaka-Nithi stood at 27 per cent, with Igambang'ombe Constituency recording a high prevalence of the practice. She described FGM as an outdated practice that should be abandoned.
Kawira urged parents and communities to give children an opportunity to pursue education without being subjected to harmful cultural practices. She noted that FGM is a criminal offence under Kenyan law and warned that the practice could expose girls to early marriages and school dropout. Additionally, Kawira mentioned that FGM is often carried out secretly, making it difficult to identify girls at risk and intervene in time.
The Chief Executive Officer encouraged members of the public to report cases and seek assistance through the toll-free number 21094 by starting the message with the word "HELP". This service can also be used to seek assistance or report cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other forms of violence. Waithera Malkia, a member of Tumaini Africa CBO, urged young people and communities to reject FGM and instead prioritize education.
Malkia stated that investing in education would give children better opportunities while protecting them from harmful practices. Murithi Moses, a player from Kabariange team, said the young people participating in the tournament were united by a common goal of helping eradicate FGM. He thanked the organizations supporting the initiative, saying the tournament had also provided an opportunity to educate and sensitize young people on the dangers of the practice.
Kathwana FC Coach Eric Mwenda said football had brought young people together while providing an effective platform for sensitization. He urged parents to embrace education and abandon cultural practices that negatively affect children. Mwenda emphasized that these cultural practices should no longer continue in this era.
The tournament was sponsored by Tumaini Africa CBO in partnership with ActionAid International Kenya, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the European Union under the Komesha FGM Sasa programme. The initiative aims to create awareness and encourage young people to reject FGM, a practice that has been prevalent in Tharaka-Nithi County.
Key points
- The football tournament attracted a large turnout of young people from Igambang'ombe Constituency.
- FGM prevalence in Tharaka-Nithi stands at 27 per cent.
- The tournament was sponsored by Tumaini Africa CBO in partnership with ActionAid International Kenya, UNFPA, and the European Union.
