Hundreds of girls in Baringo County who are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages are set to benefit from a new rescue centre nearing completion in Kimalel, Baringo South.

The rescue centre, which will accommodate up to 120 girls, is expected to become a safe haven for girls fleeing harmful cultural practices that remain prevalent among sections of the Pokot, Ilchamus and Endorois communities.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of more than 200 girls who successfully completed an Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) programme in Kimalel, Jerri Savuto Girls Chief Executive Officer Pauline Nthombura said the facility will be a major milestone in the fight against FGM and early marriages.

Nthombura noted that despite years of advocacy, many girls, particularly from the Ilchamus community, continue to be married off at a very young age to much older men. She explained that the absence of a rescue centre in the area has left many girls with nowhere to seek protection, forcing them to either submit to the harmful practices or live in constant fear.

 Pauline further said the Kimalel Rescue Centre is a game changer that will provide a safe environment where girls escaping FGM and forced marriages can find protection, continue with their education, and rebuild their lives, it being a practical solution to breaking the cycle of poverty, gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices

The rescue centre has been designed to provide more than just temporary shelter. It will include dormitories, a library, a tailoring training section and a computer laboratory aimed at equipping rescued girls with education and life skills.

The centre will offer accommodation and support to girls who flee their homes until they are old enough to make independent decisions about their future.

One of the survivors, identified only as Mercy to protect her identity, shared her painful journey. Mercy revealed that in 2016, her parents planned to force her to undergo FGM before marrying her off. As preparations intensified, she fled her home and sought refuge in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Nearly a decade later, Mercy says she has never returned home for fear of being forced to undergo the cut and subsequently be married off against her will.

Mercy noted that she  has stayed away from her family because she know returning home could mean losing her freedom and her dreams.

The Assistant County Commissioner, Caren Ngetuny  acknowledged that FGM and child marriage remain significant challenges, particularly in Baringo South and Tiaty sub-counties.

She warned that the government would take stern action against parents, guardians and community members involved in subjecting girls to FGM or marrying them off before they reach adulthood.

“The government will not hesitate to prosecute anyone involved in child marriage or female genital mutilation. These are criminal offences and those responsible will face the full force of the law,” she said.

Caren Ngetuny also raised concern over the continued use of informal “kangaroo courts,” where perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence negotiate compensation with victims’ families instead of allowing cases to proceed through the justice system.

She warned that such illegal settlements deny survivors justice while encouraging perpetrators to continue committing offences with impunity.

Jerri Savuto Girls Chairperson Cynthia Ravis said the organisation remains committed to ensuring girls from affected communities have an opportunity to pursue education and determine their own futures.

She said that since the organisation launched its programmes in 2020, it has rescued numerous girls from FGM and child marriage. Six of the rescued girls are currently pursuing university education—an achievement she described as proof that intervention and education can transform lives.

“Our mission is to give every girl a chance and a choice. Many of the girls we have rescued would today be wives and mothers instead of students pursuing their dreams. The Kimalel Rescue Centre will strengthen our efforts by providing a permanent place of safety for girls escaping gender-based violence,” Ravis said.

The Alternative Rite of Passage programme, which replaces the traditional FGM ceremony with education, mentorship and life-skills training, continues to gain acceptance as communities increasingly embrace safer ways of marking the transition into adulthood without violating the rights of girls.