Bungoma County has unveiled a three-year programme aimed at eliminating female genital mutilation (FGM) and reducing gender-based violence (GBV), marking one of the most comprehensive prevention efforts in the region. The initiative, launched in Mt Elgon and supported by Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside Kenya’s State Department for Gender, seeks to strengthen community-led structures by working closely with cultural leaders, local institutions, and vulnerable groups. Gender, Culture and Sports CECM Agnes Naliaka said the programme will empower duty bearers and improve referral systems to ensure survivors receive timely and effective support.
According to Naliaka, the initiative is built on a theory of change model that emphasises social and cultural dynamics influencing violence. It features four key roadmaps: collaboration with the Saboat Council of Elders to phase out FGM, targeted male engagement across Bungoma’s sub-tribes, empowerment of community champions to promote behavioural change, and capacity-building for local institutions involved in GBV response. The county has also mapped out hotspot zones and adopted a data-driven approach, categorising wards into red, yellow, and green to tailor interventions. The CEC noted that the programme specifically targets high-risk groups, including people living with disabilities, boda boda riders, health workers and community health volunteers—who have increasingly become frontline champions in GBV prevention.
The launch has drawn strong support from international partners, with Finland’s Head of Cooperation Anu Ala-Rantala reaffirming continued backing for Bungoma, Kilifi and Samburu counties in ending harmful cultural practices. Ala-Rantala emphasised the importance of inter-county learning, noting that progress in regions like Samburu is already inspiring transformation elsewhere. Local elders present at the event welcomed the initiative, acknowledging the critical role cultural custodians must play in shifting long-held norms. Looking ahead, county officials hope to see Bungoma’s GBV statistics decline significantly in national surveys such as the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS). Naliaka expressed optimism that the programme will not only end FGM but also curb rising cases of domestic violence, teenage pregnancies, and HIV infections—ushering in a safer future for women and girls across the county.