BY MANUEL ODENY

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Kuria-Migori has set precedence by offering bursaries only to girls who have shunned Female Genital Mutilation.

Kirira Foundation said the move was set to help caution parents who subjected their girls to FGM.

The organisation awarded a bursary worth 1.5 million, which will benefit 85 students from vulnerable families from secondary to tertiary institutions, helping them pursue their education dreams.

On Thursday during the issuance of the cheques to guardians at Kehancha Deputy County Commissioner’s office, the Kirira Foundation partner Omahe Mwita said this was because Kuria girls still face challenges of FGM.

“We know from our sources those that have subjected or aim to subject their girls to FGM and we will not consider any application from such people”, cautioned Mwita.

Mwita, however, noted that the bursary kitty will not cater for any student who was subjected to the cut, cautioning parents who aim to subject their girls to the heinous act to forget about applying for the bursary.

Kirira Foundation which is an independent, secular and non-partisan NGO based in Spain is currently working collaboratively with local partners in Kenya to eradicate harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage.

Kuria West Sub County administrator Andrew Mwiti said that it was wrong for parents to subject their girls to FGM and at the same time seek support from well-wishers.

“We are losing a lot of opportunities simply because we have refused to shade off the FGM vice in the community”, lamented Mwiti.

The administrator urged beneficiaries to work hard and repay their gratitude by performing well in school to contribute positively to society.

Elizabeth Abel one of the parents of the beneficiary disclosed that the bursary will ease her school fee burden that she has been struggling to bear.

“My daughter is in secondary school and the Sh.17,500 that I have received will help my girl to pursue her education dreams”, said joyful Abel.

She advised her Kuria community to desist from the temptation of subjecting their daughters to FGM, a retrogressive culture that she says will drag behind the education of the Kuria daughters.

Kirira Foundation which started its operations in Kuria in 2009 has also been involved in building classrooms, and ablution blocks as well as providing water tanks to various schools in Kuria. The Foundation has so far helped more than 300 students through its education bursary kitty.