Migori Families Concerned as Two Children Disappear, Sparking Fears of Cultural Exploitation

A worrying case has emerged in Migori County, where two children from Kegonga in Kuria East have gone missing under disturbing circumstances. The children, aged 12 and 9, were last seen on Monday when they took their family’s cattle to a water point. According to their family, the two children were expected to return for lunch but have not been seen since. Preliminary investigations suggest that they may have crossed a river and strayed to the other side, where their whereabouts remain unknown.

This incident is not isolated. It comes just two days after a 14-year-old boy from Mabera, in Kuria West, was reported missing. The boy was later found attending an illicit circumcision ceremony that had been conducted secretly without his parents’ knowledge. These cases are raising alarm about a disturbing trend in the region: the increasing number of children, particularly boys, being lured away under the guise of cultural practices like circumcision.

In Kuria, circumcision is deeply rooted in the local culture, with both boys and girls traditionally undergoing the procedure. However, the practice has also been a focal point of controversy, especially as harmful rituals such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continue to be carried out despite government efforts to eliminate them. The fact that some elders and cultural leaders still actively promote circumcision ceremonies, sometimes even blessing secretive rituals, has become a critical issue for the community and local authorities.

One such elder, Mzee Mwita Nyabugembe, once a strong proponent of these practices, has shifted his stance and now advocates against FGM. Nyabugembe, who used to bless circumcisions, described how deeply entrenched the tradition was in the past. He admitted that he was once pressured to circumcise his daughters, even though he saw the negative effects it had on their education and well-being. His change of heart has made him a leading figure in the fight against FGM in Kuria. Nyabugembe’s story serves as an example of how shifting cultural norms can help combat harmful practices, but such changes are slow and face significant resistance

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Despite this shift, the tradition of circumcision remains prevalent in Kuria and other parts of Migori County. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey of 2022 reveals that while FGM prevalence has dropped significantly across the country, the practice is still common in some areas, with about 60% of women in the region seeking birth services being circumcised

This is concerning, especially considering that circumcisions, particularly those performed secretly or without proper medical supervision, can have harmful long-term effects on the health and safety of children.

Local authorities and health officials have called for urgent intervention to curb the rising cases of child abductions, particularly as they relate to circumcision. The concerns are compounded by reports that children are being lured away to attend ceremonies under false pretenses, and some may be manipulated by unscrupulous individuals who exploit these cultural practices for their own gain. The government has been urged to step up enforcement of laws prohibiting such practices, ensuring that both parents and children are protected from these harmful traditions.

The cases of missing children in Kuria East and Kuria West serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to combat harmful cultural practices that put the well-being of children at risk. As the search for the two missing children continues, the community, government, and activists must work together to protect the rights of young people and ensure their safety from exploitative cultural practices.

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