Uasin Gishu County Women Seek Gikuyu Elders’ Intervention on Cultural Practices
This petition arose during a ceremony held at the Eldoret Homecraft Center, where Uasin Gishu County Woman Representative Gladys Shollei was formally welcomed into the Gikuyu community as a Nyakinyua woman and bestowed the Gikuyu name “Njeri,”
Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Shollei receives blessings from Kikuyu elders, symbolizing unity and mutual respect across cultures
A petition has been filed by Nyakinyua women in Uasin Gishu County, urging the Gikuyu Cultural elders to address persistent retrogressive cultural practices that hinder the realization of women’s rights as enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution and international human rights conventions.
This petition arose during a ceremony held at the Eldoret Home-craft Center, where Uasin Gishu County Woman Representative Gladys Shollei was formally welcomed into the Gikuyu community as a Nyakinyua woman and bestowed the Gikuyu name “Njeri,” symbolizing her journey and exposure to the culture.
The Gikuyu women, alongside Ms. Shollei, called upon the elders to address several pressing matters, including:
- The outlawed practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- The rising incidence of same-sex marriages within the community
- The unique challenges faced by the growing number of single mothers
Ms. Shollei commended the women’s initiative, acknowledging the importance of upholding women’s rights within the cultural framework.
Dr Mwangi Gitonga , the Uasin Gishu Chapter Kikuyu elder, confirmed that the petition would be reviewed by the local council and subsequently presented to the national governing Kikuyu Council of Elders for further deliberation and ratification.
Muthamaki Ng’eera, another Gikuyu elder, emphasized the council’s commitment to re-examining all issues that continue to infringe upon women’s rights.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including the Woman Representatives of Kirinyaga and Trans Nzoia counties, as well as Moiben Member of Parliament, Phyllis Bartoo.
This petition signifies a collaborative effort by Nyakinyua women and a progressive Gikuyu leadership to ensure cultural practices evolve alongside the advancement of women’s rights in Kenya
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