‎A two-day football tournament aimed at mobilizing communities against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) entered its second and final day on Sunday at Kajiampau Grounds in Kathwana, Tharaka-Nithi County, after attracting a large turnout of young people from Igambang’ombe Constituency.

The tournament, which started Saturday, is being held under the Komesha FGM Sasa programme to create awareness on the dangers of FGM and encourage young people to reject the practice.

‎Tumaini Africa CBO Chief Executive Officer Linet Kawira said the tournament was providing an opportunity to bring young people together through sport while creating awareness on the effects of FGM.

‎“We are here today with a football tournament to bring young people together in order to fight FGM in the county,” Kawira said.

‎She said statistics indicate that FGM prevalence in Tharaka-Nithi stood at 27 per cent, with Igambang’ombe Constituency recording a high prevalence of the practice.

‎She described FGM as an outdated practice that should be abandoned, urging parents and communities to give children an opportunity to pursue education without being subjected to harmful cultural practices.

‎Kawira said FGM was a criminal offence under Kenyan law and warned that the practice could expose girls to early marriages and school dropout.

‎She noted that FGM was often carried out secretly, making it difficult to identify girls at risk and intervene in time.

‎Kawira urged members of the public to report cases and seek assistance through the toll-free number 21094 by starting the message with the word “HELP.”

‎She said the toll-free service could also be used to seek assistance or report cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other forms of violence.

‎Waithera Malkia, a member of Tumaini Africa CBO, urged young people and communities to reject FGM and instead prioritise education.

‎She said investing in education would give children better opportunities while protecting them from harmful practices.

‎Murithi Moses, a player from Kabariange team, said the young people participating in the tournament were united by a common goal of helping eradicate FGM.

‎He thanked the organisations supporting the initiative, saying the tournament had also provided an opportunity to educate and sensitize young people on the dangers of the practice.

Kathwana FC Coach Eric Mwenda said football had brought young people together while providing an effective platform for sensitisation.

‎He urged parents to embrace education and abandon cultural practices that negatively affect children.

‎“We are together to sensitize the youth. These cultural practices should no longer continue in this era,” Mwenda said.

‎The tournament is sponsored by Tumaini Africa CBO in partnership with ActionAid International Kenya, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the European Union under the Komesha FGM Sasa programme.

By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori