Thika Member of Parliament and Chair of Social Protection Committee Alice Ng’ang’a has raised alarm over creeping return of female genital mutilation (FGM) in central Kenya.

Ms Ng’ang’a cited several cases in Kiambu County, where there are fresh reports of a resurgence FGM linked to a religious sect in the regional administration that borders Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

The MP noted that while significant progress has been made in curbing the vice – and Kiambu largely free of the harmful practice for years – recent intelligence points to isolated cases associated with the underground religious sect.

Speaking during a brief engagement at the Kiambu National Polytechnic (Kinap) principal’s office ahead of a women empowerment forum organised by the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF), the lawmaker underlined the need for vigilance to protect gains already achieved.

Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, who was present, urged immediate and decisive measures to stamp out the vice.

“We are the software of the country; we deal with humans and therefore actions should be taken to manage that,” Ms Cheptumo said.

She emphasised the government’s responsibility in protecting women and girls from all forms of gender-based harm. The cabinet secretary also called on all stakeholders, including county governments, community leaders, security agencies and civil society to strengthen surveillance, awareness campaigns and enforcement of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act.

She reiterated the national commitment to ending FGM by 2026 and warned that any form of backsliding would not be tolerated.

Kiambu had been celebrated as one of the counties in the Mount Kenya region that successfully reduced FGM prevalence through sustained community sensitisation, alternative rites of passage programmes and strong collaboration between government and local elders.

However, officials now fear underground activities could reverse these hard-won gains.

Participants at the engagement expressed concern that FGM, when linked to sects or cultural revivalist groups, often operates covertly, targeting vulnerable girls under the guise of tradition or spiritual rites.

The Women Empowerment Forum at Kinap brought together women entrepreneurs, youth groups and leaders to discuss economic opportunities, skills development and gender equality. Speakers used the platform to link economic empowerment with the fight against retrogressive practices, arguing that educated and financially independent women and girls are better positioned to resist harmful cultural demands.

Local leaders appealed to residents to report any suspected FGM activities to authorities, promising swift action and protection for whistle-blowers. They also called for enhanced funding for anti-FGM programmes and community dialogues to address emerging threats.

Stakeholders resolved to intensify multi-sectoral efforts, including school-based awareness, engagement with religious and cultural leaders and tighter monitoring in border areas and informal settlements where such practices may thrive undetected.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Kipkorir Felix