Public Service, Gender and Youth Affairs CS Sicily Kariuki (center) during the launching of the youth empowerment program in Baragoi Samburu North sub-county on Wednesday. Photo/KNA.)Public Service, Gender and Youth Affairs Cs Sicily Kariuki has asked political leaders in Samburu County to help eradicate Female Genital Mutilation.
Speaking on Wednesday during launching the youth empowerment program in Baragoi Samburu North sub-county, the CS said there is need for political goodwill to eradicate FGM.
She said FGM is a retrogressive cultural practice targeting girls and urged politicians seeking various political positions in the county to factor FGM eradication in their campaigns and manifestos.
“I am here to launch a government project offering youths employment in Samburu; these are the same youths exposed to FGM, early marriages and cattle rustling. Politicians should help in ending these vices,” she said.
She dismissed claims that NYS project is a fake government project, saying 150,000 youths have benefited from the initiative countrywide.
“Through the NYS project, youths in different areas of the country have invested in real estate, agri-business, import business and so on and I can say it has genuinely changed lives,” she added.
She asked the youth to report criminal activities in the area and advised residents to maintain peace during campaigns and shun politicians encouraging violence.