Kenyan Women Rep Dorice Donya Sparks Fury After Appearing to Endorse FGM
Nairobi, Kenya – A firestorm of public outrage has erupted after a video surfaced showing nominated Member of Parliament Dorice Donya seemingly endorsing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in a conversation with fellow lawmaker Jalang’o.
The clip, now widely circulated on social media, captures a casual exchange where Donya outlines her plans for the month. Shockingly, she includes young girls undergoing FGM as part of her agenda, invoking the long-debunked and harmful myth that the practice is meant to “regulate girls’ behaviour.”
Her remarks were met with immediate and visible shock by Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o. He interrupted her, firmly stating that such views were outdated, dangerous, and completely unacceptable.
“The comments attributed to Hon. Donya are not just shocking but a profound betrayal of the office she holds,” Jalang’o later stated. “As a woman representative, her primary mandate is to champion the rights and welfare of women and girls, not to perpetuate harmful, illegal traditions that main and traumatise them.”
The public reaction has been swift and fierce, with many Kenyans expressing anger and disappointment on social media and talk shows. Critics have highlighted the stark contradiction between Donya’s role as a nominated Women Representative—a position specifically designed to advance gender equality and protect vulnerable groups—and her apparent promotion of a practice that violates the bodily integrity and human rights of girls.
“This is a catastrophic failure of leadership,” tweeted activist Nebila Abdulmelik. “How can she sit in a seat meant to protect women and girls and casually plan for their mutilation?”
The controversy places Donya in direct conflict with Kenyan law. FGM has been a criminal offense in Kenya since 2011. The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act stipulates that anyone found guilty of aiding, abetting, or procuring the practice faces a minimum prison sentence of three years, a fine of not less than KSh 200,000 (approximately US $1,400), or both.
Authorities, including the Anti-FGM Board, have yet to issue an official statement on the incident. However, legal experts and human rights advocates are calling for immediate investigation and potential prosecution, arguing that a public official openly discussing plans for an illegal act could constitute facilitation.
As pressure mounts, all eyes are on Dorice Donya to issue a clarification or apology and on state agencies to enforce the law without fear or favour. The incident has reignited a critical national conversation about the persistence of FGM, the responsibilities of elected leaders, and the urgent need to protect girls from this harmful practice.
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