In 2009, female circumcision and forced marriages were prevalent within the Maasai community. Dr Kakenya Ntaiya, a survivor of FGM herself, took it upon herself to address this issue.
This led to the establishment of Kakenya’s Dream, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting disadvantaged girls from marginalized families in Narok county through education and protection against harmful traditions, such as Female Genital Mutilation, forced child marriage, and gender-based violence.
Kakenya’s Dream operates from Keiyan ward in Transmara West subcounty of Narok county, an area predominantly populated by the Maasai people.
Motivated by a strong commitment to safeguard girls and secure their future through education, Dr Ntaiya initiated a journey that would ultimately positively impact countless lives throughout the region.
The organization has subsequently established two educational institutions to ensure comprehensive learning, safety, and protection for girls as they pursue their studies.
The Kakenya Centre for Excellence I, situated in Enosaen village, serves primary school girls, while the Kakenya Centre for Excellence II in Isampin village accommodates a Girls High School.
Maximillan Kemnto, a current student at Kakenya Centre for Excellence, demonstrates the program’s positive influence on vulnerable girls.
Hailing from a financially struggling family, Kemnto had nearly given up hope of attending secondary school despite achieving 336 marks in KCPE.
“My parents couldn’t afford school fees, uniforms, and other requirements. I stayed at home while my classmates moved on to Form One,” she remembered.
She noted that this experience left her feeling isolated and emotionally distressed.
“I felt abandoned because all my friends had advanced to secondary education, while I remained at home,” she shared.
Her situation improved when a family friend recommended that her parents seek assistance from Kakenya’s Dream.
“I was called for an interview and successfully gained admission to Kakenya Centre for Excellence II. Since then, my life has only progressed,” she stated proudly.
Kemnto portrayed life at the institution as enriching and supportive.
“We benefit from excellent learning facilities, nutritious meals, educational excursions, and supportive teachers. The school also develops talents through music, drama, and sports,” she said.
The aspiring journalist also mentioned that the Kakenya Health and Wellness Center, established through Kakenya’s Dream, offers free medical services and care to students.
THOUSANDS ASSISTED
With the objective of providing girls with equal educational opportunities as boys, Kakenya’s Dream has thus far helped approximately 1,000 girls escape FGM and early marriage. They have additionally received quality education, ensuring them a promising future.
The initiative was launched when Maasai girls were predominantly seen as commodities intended for marriage in exchange for dowry.
Parents prioritized educating boys while girls remained at home, handling domestic responsibilities while awaiting marriage.
The difficulty was compounded because Kakenya’s Dream was founded before Kenya criminalized FGM and child marriage through laws passed in 2011.
As a result, the initiative initially encountered strong opposition from certain community members who perceived it as a challenge to their long-standing traditions and way of life.
An elder from Isampin village, Parsaloi Semeyoi, recalled that the Kakenya’s Dream program faced substantial opposition during its initial years.
“Many people thought the program was meddling with our customs. But nowadays, the same community has wholeheartedly accepted it after recognizing the significant benefits it has delivered,” Semeyoi shared with the Star during an April 29 visit.
He stated that the girl-focused program has successfully removed numerous obstacles that previously impeded girls’ education.
Semeyoi mentioned that many families have witnessed enhanced living standards through the support of educated daughters who have become professionals in various fields.
“Kakenya’s Dream is among the most remarkable developments to occur in this region. It has brought illumination to what was once a dark community. Girls from this program are now doctors, teachers, nurses, and other professionals,” he said.
He expressed the hope that the organization might eventually establish a university adjacent to the Kakenya Centre for Excellence II to enable girls to pursue higher education in the same setting.
GENDER PARITY
Lengetu Ole Sopia, 60, whose daughter is currently in Grade 10 at Kakenya Centre for Excellence II, stated that the program has transformed not only Transmara West but also neighboring regions of Kisii, Migori, and Transmara East.
“The Maasai community in Transmara West, Kilgoris, and beyond has experienced the benefits of this initiative,” Ole Sopia said.
“We are proud to have the Centres for Excellence in our vicinity thanks to Kakenya’s Dream.”
He recalled that when the program began, FGM was widespread and very few girls were permitted to pursue education. However, the situation has since improved dramatically for the better, he added.
“Because of Kakenya’s Dream, FGM has substantially decreased and many parents now recognize the importance of educating girls,” he said.
Ole Sopia expressed sorrow that in the past, young girls were married off at young ages, sometimes to men old enough to be their grandfathers.
“A girl as young as 15 could be married to a man aged 40 or even 50 years. People didn’t consider whether a girl was mature enough,” he remembered.
He explained that once a girl showed signs of physical development, she was deemed ready for marriage after undergoing FGM.
“Fortunately, those harmful practices have largely diminished, especially in areas influenced by Kakenya’s Dream. Residents have abandoned the regressive traditions,” he added.
Ole Sopia described Kakenya Centre for Excellence II as a “second home” for the girls, noting that students receive all their necessities, allowing them to concentrate fully on their studies.
“The program even supports girls who advance to universities and tertiary institutions. Many parents now want their daughters to join the program, but capacity is limited,” he said.
He praised Kakenya’s Dream for sponsoring girls from primary school through to higher education institutions, stating that the initiative has significantly reduced gender inequality in education.
COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE
Kakenya Centre for Excellence II deputy principal Chimoli Bibiana stated that the educational institution provides extensive support to girls from disadvantaged families.
“We provide school uniforms, meals, learning materials, and all other essentials to ensure the girls can concentrate on their education,” she said.
She added that the institution also supplies sanitary towels, personal items, books, and other necessary materials.
Bibiana mentioned that the school collaborates closely with the community to discourage harmful cultural practices.
“We respect culture, but when cultural practices endanger the well-being and education of students, we engage the community through awareness programs,” she said.
Bibiana added that the program’s impact is evident through the success stories of former students, some of whom now work within the institution itself.
Kakenya’s Dream education program manager Victor Nyambok stated that the organization has achieved significant progress since its inception.
“Over 100 girls from our Centres of Excellence have advanced to university, with nearly 20 proceeding abroad for further studies,” he said.
Nyambok mentioned that more than 80 percent of the school’s KCSE candidates qualify for direct university admission.
“We are dedicated to quality education that extends beyond academics. We equip girls with leadership skills, life skills, career guidance, and sexual reproductive health education,” he said.
Through education, mentorship, and community empowerment, Kakenya’s Dream continues to redefine the narrative of Maasai girls, replacing fear and limitations with hope, opportunities, and achievements.