• The president spoke during the launch of the Council of Governors Women caucus.
• He insisted that FGM destroys women and brings forth many challenges to them.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has called on Kenyan men to protect women from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practices.
Speaking on Thursday, Ruto said men must do this, even if it is for selfish reasons.
The president spoke during the launch of the Council of Governors Women caucus.
He insisted that FGM destroys women and brings forth many challenges to them.
Ruto added that men should take the front seat in championing an end to the FGM practice.
He said that it destroys everything good in women.
"I want to tell men to come forward and protect our women from FGM even if it is for selfish reasons, FGM destroys women. Makes them less confident, less effective and creates many challenges around it.
"Men should be champions against FGM because you know what it is. It destroys everything that would be good in a woman. We are the ones who enjoy," Ruto said.
The head of state further called on women who come from counties that have FGM prevalence to go out of their way to ensure this stops.
The Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2022 says FGM prevealence is at 15 per cent.
Of the 22 counties practicing FGM, Garissa county has the highest prevalence at 83 per cent.
The Somali community leads at 98 per cent, followed by the Samburu at 94 per cent.
In February, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked National Administration Officers (NGAOs) to work with counties and the community to end harmful and retrogressive practices such as child ‘marriages’ and FGM.
He said FGM exposes girls to child ‘marriages’ as they are perceived to be ready for family life despite the tender age.
"FGM is a false transition that denies girls the opportunity to enjoy childhood as they start a prolonged miserable adult life, which they are not ready for. They are ready for school, not marriage. Girls are children, not mothers. They must be in school,” he said.