A Kuria-based NGO has turned to bursary as a tool to fight FGM warning parents who force their daughter to undergo the cut that they risk losing out.
Speaking during the issuance of cheques to guardians at Kehancha deputy county commissioner’s office, Kirira Foundation partner, Omahe Mwita, said girls in Kuria continue to undergo the cut which hinders their pursuit for education.
Kirira Foundation, an independent, secular and non-partisan NGO based in Spain, is currently working with partners in Kenya to eradicate FGM and child marriage.
The organisation gave out Sh1.5 million which will benefit 85 students from vulnerable families from secondary to tertiary institutions.
Mwita, however, noted that the bursary will not cater for any student who was subjected to the cut, cautioning parents who subject their girls to the cut not to apply for the funding.
“We know from our sources those that have subjected or plan to subject their girls to FGM and we will not consider any application from such people,” Mwita said.
Kuria West deputy county commissioner Andrew Mwiti said it is wrong for parents to subject their girls to FGM and at the same time seek support from well-wishers.
Mwiti also cautioned residents to desist from the harmful practice noting that nothing good will ever come from such an outdated culture.
“We are losing a lot of opportunities simply because we have refused to shed off the practice,” Mwiti said.
The administrator urged beneficiaries to work hard and show their gratitude by performing well in school to contribute positively to society.
Elizabeth Abel, one of the beneficiaries’ parent, said the bursary will ease her school fees burden.
“My daughter is in secondary school and the Sh17,500 I have received will help my girl pursue her education,” Abel said.
She urged her Kuria community to stop taking their daughters through the cut, adding that FGM affects their education.
“Some of the girls who had the cut in 2024 have missed out on this bursary just because their parents did not listen to what the government was saying,” Abel said.
Kirira Foundation, which started its operations in Kuria in 2009, has also been involved in building classrooms, ablution blocks as well as providing water tanks to schools.
The foundation has so far helped more than 300 students
through its bursary.
