Gender activists and government officials in Kenya and Tanzania are bracing for a rise in female genital mutilation (FGM) among Kuria during the December 2026 following a pause last year.

Already, 13 Kuria clans, four in Kenya and nine in Tanzania, are said to be planning to carry out mass circumcision to make up for the missed opportunity last year. In December 2025, only the Bwirege clan, which spans both countries carried out circumcision.

However, efforts to stamp out cross-border FGM face challenges from local communities with assistance of grassroots leadership in either country.

Consequently, government officials and activists from the two countries met in Tarime, Tanzania, to firm up coordination ahead of the upcoming season.

“We are here to map out the best strategies to stop cross-border circumcision in December. We have also reflected on challenges from last year. Despite only one clan carrying out the cut, we still faced difficulties,” said Vincent Mwita, an activist with Tunaweza Empowerment, a Kenyan civil society.

Mwita explained that the meeting was to ensure that rescue centres for girls fleeing FGM are closer to the border and that arrests of suspects and monitoring of circumcisers crossing the border is better coordinated.

“Last year, Tanzania’s election period caused some slack in enforcement. Previously, an active communication channel helped disrupt cross-border activities,” Michael Marwa of C-Sema, based in Mara Province, Tanzania, said.

For the first time, authorities reported eight boys and men who underwent circumcision in hospitals were forced to undergo re-circumcision, with two suspects arrested in Kenya, whereas 120 girls were rescued after fleeing circumcision. Two are active in court.

In Tanzania, authorities controlled eight hotspot areas for cross-border circumcision, with two cases still under investigation.

Major Edward Ngoele, Tarime District Commissioner, through District Secretary Salm Mwaisenye, reported that 63 children in 48 schools, both secondary and primary, were protected from circumcision. Officials also monitored 63 health facilities in the border region to promote anti-FGM messages.

In 2019, Kenya joined Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania in forming joint taskforces to fight cross-border circumcision among communities that transcend national borders.

“That children can escape the vice shows that, as regional governments we must remain vigilant to end it. The younger generation is aware of the problem,” Ngoele said.

Across Mara region, Tanzania issued Tsh10.2 million in health insurance for about 2,000 elders and Tsh1.063 billion in digital funds to 60 groups as alternatives to FGM.

Mwaisenye noted that a similar forum was held in Tarime in July last year and urged additional meetings before August 2026 to establish clear work plans to disrupt FGM practices.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Makokha Khaoya