1. COUNTRY PROFILE UPDATE
FGM IN KENYA:
COUNTRY PROFILE UPDATE
KEY FINDINGS
December 2016

2. FGM IN KENYA The prevalence of FGM in Kenya continues to decline
In 2014 prevalence among women aged 15 to 49 was 21%
PREVALENCE
YEAR
(DHS 1998, p.168; DHS 2003, p.251; DHS , p.265; and DHS 2014, pp.333, )

3. WHERE? Highest FGM prevalence: North Eastern = 97.5%
Lowest FGM prevalence:
Western = 0.8%
© 28 Too Many
FGM prevalence by former province (© 28 Too Many)
(DHS , p.285; and DHS 2014, p.333.)

4. FGM PREVALENCE IN URBAN AREAS (women aged 15-49): 2008-9 = 16.5%
2014 = 13.8%
FGM PREVALENCE IN RURAL AREAS (women aged 15-49):
= 30.6%
2014 = 25.9%
(DHS , p.285; and DHS 2014, p.333.)

5. PRACTISING GROUPS Highest prevalence continues to be among the
Somali (93.6%)
Samburu (86%)
Kisii (84.4%)
Maasai (77.9%)
By contrast, less than 2.5% prevalence among the Luo, Luhya, Turkana and Mijikenda/Swahili
Prevalence does not appear to have increased in any ethnic group over the period
Figures suggest declining prevalence in many ethnic groups over the period :
Kisii – 95.9% to 84.4%
Maasai – 93.4% to 77.9%.
Image: Sankara Subramanian (2012) A shy but beautiful Samburu woman. Available at
Creative Commons Licence: This image has been altered from its original format (cropped).
(DHS 2014, p.333.)

6. AGE Data suggests girls are undergoing FGM in Kenya at a younger age
The proportion of women cut after the age of 15 has declined
46% of young women aged 15 to 19 who have undergone FGM were cut between the ages of 5 and 9, compared to only 16.7% in the age-group 45 to 49
Image: Ninara (2014) Magadi, Kenya, Maasai girls. Available at
Creative Commons Licence:
(DHS 2014, p.335.)

7. TYPES OF FGM
‘Cut, flesh removed’ is the most common type of FGM in Kenya
Infibulation is most common among the Somali population and those practising Islam
Data suggests the frequency of ‘cut, flesh removed’ has risen and infibulation (Type III) has declined
Cut, no flesh removed
1.6%
Cut, flesh removed
87.2%
Sewn closed, infibulation (Type III)
9.3%
Undetermined/Not sure/ Don’t know
1.9%
(DHS , p.265; and DHS 2014, p.333.)

8. PRACTITIONERS
FGM in Kenya continues to be carried out predominantly by ‘traditional agents’, for
74.9% of girls (aged 0 to 14)
83.3% of women (aged 15 to 49)
Most of these agents are what the DHS calls ‘traditional circumcisers’
Despite recent legislation to prevent medical practitioners (doctors, nurses/midwives, other health professionals) performing FGM, there is some concern over a rise in medicalised FGM
(DHS , p.267; DHS 2014, p.339; Wandia [2016])

9. LAW
The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011; revised 2012) criminalises FGM and the stigmatisation of uncut women
The PFGM also established the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board
In 2014, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) established the Anti-FGM and Child Marriage Prosecution Unit
A 24/7 hotline was launched to rescue girls from FGM and child marriage, and to help prosecute these crimes

10. ATTITUDES
The majority of people across all ethnic groups have heard of FGM
Overall, 6.2% of women and 9.3% of men who have heard of FGM in Kenya believe it should continue
39.9% of women and 42.8% of men with ‘no education’ believe that FGM should continue
Support for ending FGM increases with education
For many, culture and tradition override the law when it comes to FGM and other harmful traditional practices
Attitudes towards FGM also vary according to area of residence, ethnicity and wealth
(DHS 2014, pp.331-3, )

11. ANTI-FGM PROGRAMMES Their activities include:
Key players in Kenya include:
The Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board
The UN Joint Programme
The Girl Generation
The Guardian Global Media Campaign
International NGOs
Local community- and faith-based organisations
Their activities include:
Community discussions and education
Inclusion of men and boys
Alternative Rites of Passage
Public events/rallies
Sponsorship of girls’ education
Provision of safe houses
Empowering key traditional and religious leaders
Involving traditional practitioners
Educational workshops in schools
Training activists to use media tools
Use of social media and films
(Image © The Girl Generation)

12. CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES
Implementing and enforcing anti-FGM laws
Addressing the cultural/social/religious norms that support the continuation of FGM
Engaging all members of a community, including traditional and faith leaders
Outreaching to rural and isolated communities, where girls are most at risk
Improving access to education
Sustainable funding to scale up successful programmes
Supporting traditional practitioners of FGM to give up their practice
Addressing the medicalisation of FGM
Maximising the use of all forms of media
Further quality research to inform policies and programmes
v2 July 2017