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.
Officials and activists from both countries met in Tarime, Tanzania, to strengthen coordination ahead of the upcoming season.
“We are here to map out the best strategies to stop cross-border circumcision in December. We have also reflected on challenges from last year; despite only one clan undergoing the cut, we still faced difficulties,” said Vincent Mwita, an activist with Tunaweza Empowerment based in Kenya.
Mwita explained 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.
“Last year, Tanzania’s election period caused some slack in enforcement. Previously, an active communication channel helped disrupt cross-border activities,” said Michael Marwa of C-Sema, based in Mara Province, Tanzania.
For the first time, authorities reported eight boys and men who underwent circumcision in hospitals being forced to undergo re-circumcision, with two suspects arrested in Kenya, whereas 120 girls were rescued after fleeing circumcision, with two active court cases ongoing.
In Tanzania, authorities 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, reported 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.
“That children can escape the vice shows that as regional governments, we must remain vigilant to end it. The younger generation is aware of the problem,” Ngoele said.
Across Mara region, Tanzania issued 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 noted that a similar forum was held in Tarime in July last year and urged additional meetings before August 2026 to establish clear work plans to disrupt FGM practices.
By Makokha Khaoya
