The Chorwa African Inland Church in Marakwet East has set up a rescue centre to offer shelter to girls running away from FGM.
Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor Prof Grace Cheserek said the centre will offer temporary shelter to 50 girls before they can go back home once the threat of being mutilated is over.
She was speaking at the church when she received double-decker beds and assorted bedding from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) worth Sh1.7 million for the girls.
Cheserek reminded the community that FGM is an outlawed practice and urged them to report anyone forcing girls to undergo FGM to the authorities for action to be taken.
She said as the country embarks on the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, it is time to say no to any form of violence against women and children, FGM being one of the most prevalent form of violence in the area.
“We are appealing to parents and the society in general to give a chance to children to flourish as they are the future of our society,” Cheserek said.
She urged the community to take care of the girls, saying if she was not taken to school she would not be the leader and the scholar she is now.
Cheserek said the county is in the process of coming up with a programme on alternative rite of passage for girls to replace FGM.
She said they were also looking for funds to come up with a rescue centre to take care of other forms of GBV.
Cheserek said even men undergo domestic violence but fear reporting.
Paul Masese from the centre for enhancing democracy and good governance called for cooperation from the community in safeguarding the rights of children.
Rev Joseph Cheserek, who is in charge of the church, said they were ready to take care of the girls not only through provision of basic facilities but also spiritually.
