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DE RUEHNR #1908/01 1231156
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031156Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9427
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 9293
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 5260
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 4690
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2030
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2236
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2193
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001908 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
G/IWI FOR ANDREA BOTTNER; AF FOR A/S FRAZER; DRL FOR A/S 
LOWENKRON; R FOR U/S KAREN HUGHES; R/ECA FOR MILLER CROUCH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PGOV KE
SUBJECT: MISSION'S EFFORTS TO COMBAT FEMALE GENITAL 
MUTILATION AND ADVOCATE GENDER EQUITY 
 
¶1.  Summary:  On April 21, the Ambassador participated in a 
high profile event in Kilgoris in Transmara to support 
efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM).  See text of 
Ambassador's speech in paragraph 6.  Participation in this 
event was part of the Mission's broader efforts to address 
gender equity issues in Kenya. On International Women's Day, 
March 8, the Ambassador used the opportunity of Dina Powell's 
visit to host a reception for over 300 prominent Kenyan 
women.  The purpose was to focus attention on pressing gender 
equity issues in Kenya.  The Ambassador used the event to 
announce the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative and 
intended support for the Kilgoris event. See text of speech 
in paragraph 7.  End summary. 
 
Anti-FGM Event and Support 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2.  On April 21, the Ambassador participated in a girls' walk 
in Kilgoris in the Transmara area of Kenya to support efforts 
to end the practice of FGM.  The run was organized by an NGO, 
Cherish Others, with which the Embassy has worked previously 
on this issue.  The walk involved hundreds of adolescent 
girls threatened with FGM.  The purpose of the walk (which is 
an annual event) is to mobilize girls, as well as their 
parents, friends, and adolescent males, to support them in 
their decision not to subject themselves to FGM.  The walk 
was coupled with an educational seminar which, taken 
together, constitute an alternative rite to FGM.  Despite the 
efforts being made, FGM remains a widespread practice among 
the Masaai in the Transmara area.  FGM is also practiced in 
many other parts of the country. 
 
¶3.  Local government authorities strongly supported the event 
and made clear their commitment to ending the practice of 
FGM.  Two government ministers attended to highlight the 
government's commitment.  The event usefully generated 
significant national media coverage, thus getting the message 
against FGM out to a much wider audience. 
 
¶4.  The Mission's support for activities directed against FGM 
also includes providing $200,000 to a program to increase 
reproductive health and reduce FGM in the refugee camps in 
Kenya.  In addition, the Mission includes FGM in its 
activities to reduce gender-based violence in the region, 
including training of health care providers, the media, 
religious leaders, and raising awareness among men at truck 
stops in Kenya.  To help curb FGM among Kenya's Muslim 
communities, the Mission works with Islamic religious leaders 
to demonstrate that FGM is not mentioned in the Koran or in 
Islamic customary law. 
 
Gender Equity and International Women's Day 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  These efforts are, in turn, part of the Mission's 
increasing focus on addressing gender equity issues in Kenya. 
 This March, the Ambassador used International Women's Day to 
announce the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative at a 
reception he hosted for more than 300 prominent Kenyan women. 
 The event, which was also in honor of Dina Powell's visit, 
received significant media coverage.  The women leaders who 
attended applauded the Ambassador's recognition of Kenyan 
women who are leading the struggle for women's empowerment in 
Kenya, including Member of Parliament Njoki Ndungu who 
drafted and championed the Sexual Offenses Act 2006 and 
Jacinta Mwatela who as Acting Governor of the Central Bank of 
Kenya risked her career to pursue a corruption investigation. 
 The Mission is also emphasizing gender equity issues in the 
context of the electoral process, highlighting the need for 
greater participation by women in government and community 
leadership.  This will be addressed in a speech on the 
elections the Ambassador will give on May 10. 
 
¶6.  Begin text of FGM remarks. 
 
It's a pleasure to be with you all today.  After arriving in 
Kenya last August, my first trip as Ambassador was to 
Kilgoris, and then on to Enoosaen, where I distributed 14 
scholarships to Masaai high school girls and boys on the 
fifth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on 
my country.  Kilgoris and Enoosaen are special places to the 
 
American people, since it was in Enoosaen that the Masaai 
donated 14 cattle to "ease the pain and suffering" of the 
people of New York following the attacks.  It was during my 
visit here last September that I learned of the programs of 
Cherish Others, an organization led by a dynamic lady named 
Ruth Konchellah, that is working hard to bring equality and 
dignity to Kenyan girls, particularly in TransMara.  So when 
Cherish Others asked me to participate in the walk and run 
that we just concluded, I jumped at the chance to support it. 
 My only apprehension was that it really would be a seven 
kilometer run - instead of walk - but it was a walk and so I 
survived!  It is also a great personal pleasure that Tegla 
Loroupe, a woman who needs no introduction, has joined us 
today.  Tegla's presence reflects her commitment to improving 
the lives of Kenyans.  She, along with Ruth Konchellah and so 
many of the ladies here today, serve as wonderful role models 
for the girls and young women of Kenya. Ruth's mother is also 
with us today.  She is a writer of children's books, and is 
herself an inspirational model for Kenyan girls because of 
all that she has achieved. 
 
I participated today to lend my modest support for this 
important effort to focus public attention on the need to end 
the anachronistic and dangerous practice of FGM.  I am the 
father of a sixteen year old daughter, growing into a 
beautiful young woman, with all of the hope and anxieties 
that adolescents have.  So I feel a particular affinity with 
the girls here today.  As I prepared these remarks I thought 
about one Masaai girl who said she wanted to be circumcised 
because "if you are not cut, no one will talk to you...no man 
will marry...you if you are not cut."  So let me speak 
directly to the girls who bravely participated in this 
anti-FGM event today: continue to seek what is best for you; 
be faithful to the best of your traditions and your culture; 
but do not be frightened by pressure from anyone or the 
threat of social stigma; some may seek to ostracize you but 
assert yourselves as the future citizens and leaders of this 
great country; be an example to your peers and to your 
community.  And let me speak directly to this community and 
to its leaders: you need to protect these girls from FGM and 
help them achieve their full potential.  Cherish Others' 
motto for the event today says it all: "FGM: 2 million girls 
are at risk.  What are you doing to stop it?" 
 
The United States is firmly opposed to the practice of FGM, 
and I am pleased that we are working with Kenyans to end it. 
I realize that this issue is culturally sensitive in some 
areas of Kenya, but it is one about which we nonetheless need 
to speak out.  It is an objective fact that FGM is not, as 
some allege, beneficial to girls.  As one of our recent 
Secretaries of State has pointed out, "(M)any girls born in 
 
SIPDIS 
this Millennium year will tragically be affected by FGM. 
They will never see the inside of a school. They will be fed 
less and later than their brothers.  And around the age of 
six, they may suffer genital mutilation. Around fourteen, 
they may get married and begin two decades of almost constant 
child-bearing."  FGM is not an upward path to a brighter 
Kenya, but rather works counter to efforts to combat poverty 
and despair. 
 
Working together to end FGM is yet another example of the 
vibrant U.S.-Kenyan partnership.  For both of our governments 
it is first and foremost a matter of health and safety. 
Female genital mutilation kills girls due to bleeding and 
infections arising from the procedure; it kills women by 
increasing the risk of complications during childbirth; and 
it kills babies through complications.  Stated in its 
starkest terms, there are mothers, wives, sisters and 
daughters who are dead today and will die tomorrow 
specifically because of the practice of female genital 
mutilation.  In essence, FGM is a both a serious health issue 
and an abuse of internationally recognized human rights 
standards.  The practice leaves a lifetime of physical and 
emotional scars. 
 
The procedures result in infections, bleeding, and a great 
deal of pain and cruelty to young girls.  The scarring among 
those who survive the practice often makes natural childbirth 
impossible, putting the health of our mothers and wives in 
danger.  Because the cuts and scars often damage the opening 
of the girl's birth canal, complications during normal 
 
deliveries occur.  And there are a host of other medical 
problems that result from the procedure.  FGM leads to 
thousands of deaths of each year. 
 
To its credit the Kenyan government has for some time been 
proactive in combating this practice.  Presidential decrees 
in 1982 and 1989 banned the practice. In 2001 the Kenyan 
government formally outlawed female genital mutilation as a 
result of the Children's Act.  The government is also 
implementing a national plan to eliminate FGM.  I am happy to 
note that, as a result, the rate for FGM among women has 
fallen from 38 percent in 1998 to 31 percent in 2003.  Of the 
32 percent of Kenyan women who have been circumcised, only 21 
percent of their eldest daughters have been circumcised, so 
progress is being made.  In taking action against FGM and in 
improving the lives of girls and women, the Kenyan government 
is joining a growing international consensus against the 
practice.  For example, the Beijing World Conference on 
Women's Platform for Action, the policies of the African 
Union, and other international agreements call on countries 
to adopt policies and laws to prohibit FGM and to support the 
efforts of community organizations to eliminate the practice. 
 I am pleased to see the strong support provided by the 
District Commissioner and the government structure here to 
end the practice, particularly through support for the 
courageous work of Cherish Others. 
 
As part of the U.S.-Kenyan partnership, we are helping to end 
FGM through activities focused on four key areas:  education 
and awareness, provision of health information and services, 
empowerment of women, and helping with enforcement of Kenyan 
laws. 
 
-- We are speaking out, including through our annual Human 
Rights Report. 
 
-- I have announced that Kenya will benefit from the Women's 
Justice and Empowerment Initiative, which seeks to combat 
sexual violence and abuse against women, including FGM. 
 
-- We are partnering with Kenya to mainstream gender-based 
violence activities, including FGM, in the healthcare system. 
This includes training for nurses and midwives. 
 
-- We are fostering education.  We have, for example, 
supported a nationwide policy on gender equity in education. 
 
-- We are supporting the work of Cherish Others, which has 
already saved many girls in the TransMara from FGM through 
the tireless work of Ruth Konchellah and her team.  Their 
most recent one-year program we supported, called "Full Stop 
to the Horrific FGM," took a very effective broad-based 
approach, focusing on spreading the message not only to young 
women, but also to their parents and the community at large. 
With our support, Cherish Others is engaging dozens of young 
women in an alternative rite to FGM.  Ruth and her team are 
changing minds and practices, keeping young women healthier 
and in school.  In short, they are making a difference, 
setting an example, and challenging others to do so as well. 
 
-- Through the Ambassador's Girls Scholarship Program, we are 
supporting 3,000 Kenyan girls for primary and secondary 
education.  One component of this, the Masaai Education 
Initiative has rescued over 200 girls from early marriage and 
FGM. 
 
But we can only help.  It is the women, men, and leaders of 
this country who must bring about the cultural and social 
change necessary to end FGM.  I began my words by 
acknowledging that female genital mutilation has its cultural 
roots.  I am sensitive to the great diversity of Kenyan 
cultures.  I have great respect and admiration for the 
Masaai, the Kisii, the Kipsigis, and all of the great Kenyan 
cultures.  But I believe that we all as fellow human beings 
have an obligation to work together to speak out against this 
practice and to do what is in the best interests of the 
children.  We have an obligation to work together for the 
equality, well-being, and prosperity of all Kenyan citizens 
of all tribes, of all ethnic groups, of all religious groups, 
and of both sexes - male and female.  Part of that struggle 
is the elimination of female genital mutilation. 
 
 
I have come here today to honor the courage of these young 
women and their parents and friends who chose to say "NO" to 
genital mutilation, despite the significant cultural and 
social pressures urging them to say "YES."  I wish to express 
my deep admiration to the members of this community and its 
leadership who are supporting these brave decisions. 
Together, we can all contribute to the struggle to eliminate 
the practice which places so many lives at risk. 
 
End text. 
 
¶7.  Begin text of International Women's Day Remarks. 
 
Thank you all for being here this evening to help celebrate 
International Women's Day. There are so many Kenyan women of 
great accomplishment here that I cannot begin to acknowledge 
them all. I do want to acknowledge a very distinguished 
senior woman within the U.S. Government who is with us this 
evening: Assistant Secretary of State for Education and 
Cultural Programs Dina Powell. She is accompanied by two male 
colleagues: David McCormack, Security Adviser at the National 
Security Council for Foreign Assistance and Economic 
Security; and Mike Magan, Senior Director at the National 
Security Council for Reconstruction and Stabilization. 
 
International Women's Day is an opportunity to recognize that 
prosperity and democracy require the active participation of 
women in all aspects of civil and economic life, and to 
acknowledge the vital contribution of women to international 
peace and security. On International Women's Day we consider 
the accomplishments and achievements of outstanding women all 
over the world, but also identify how we can all do more to 
empower women. 
 
I want to emphasize that the United States is strongly 
committed to promoting the rights of Kenyan women and their 
increased participation in all aspects of social, political, 
and economic life. This is a highly important dimension of 
the strong and growing U.S.-Kenyan Partnership. 
 
Kenya's Shining Examples 
 
Here in Kenya you have no shortage of outstanding, committed 
women leaders who are working to improve their country. I 
want to cite a few outstanding examples from those among us. 
 
Honorable Njoki Ndung'u has become a household name over the 
last year but, more importantly, thanks to her dedication and 
perseverance, the subject of sexual abuse of women and 
children has also become a household topic, bringing this 
critical issue out of the shadows. As many of you know, on 
May 31, 2006 Kenya's National Assembly voted to criminalize 
the worst forms of sexual offenses. The resulting Sexual 
Offenses Act 2006 is arguably one of the most important 
pieces of legislation to empower women since Kenya's 
independence. It is for that inspiring reason that we 
nominated her for the Secretary of State's award for 
courageous women. Please accept my warmest congratulations on 
this well-deserved honor. 
 
I'd also like to salute Jacinta Mwatela who was until 
recently the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya. 
Ms. Mwatela became the Acting Governor at a critical time in 
the investigation of suspected money laundering, tax evasion 
and violations of banking laws at Charterhouse Bank. Although 
some attributed the suspension of her predecessor, Governor 
Mullei, to his efforts to investigate Charterhouse, as Acting 
Governor, Mwatela was undeterred and showed great courage and 
resolve in pursuing the investigation. Her investigation led 
to the eventual closure of the bank. You too are an 
inspiration to empowered women! 
 
Unsung Heroes 
 
I want to recognize from among the many distinguished women 
present tonight, three unsung heroes. They too are an 
inspiration. 
 
Pepetua Mugure Mugambi is a blind acupuncturist and masseuse 
who was trained in Japan and speaks fluent Japanese. She runs 
 
a home clinic in Kahawa West Estate. She was blinded by a 
measles attack when she was just one and a half years old. 
Pepetua, we salute your inspirational determination and 
accomplishment. 
 
Hellen Anyiso Otolo Oduk is a lecturer on philosophy and 
gender matters at Kenyatta University. She mentors female 
students and is the head of the Young Women Initiative at the 
University. This body brings together female students in a 
forum to exchange ideas over social challenges facing them. 
They visit girls' secondary schools to teach their "younger 
sisters." Hellen, we salute your inspirational leadership and 
work. 
 
Jacqueline Machaka is the director of Language Solutions 
Centre. The school offers language instruction as well as 
translation and interpretation services. She started the 
school in 2004 when she was just 27 years old. She is fluent 
in Chinese and Spanish as well, of course, as English and 
Kiswahili. Jacqueline, we salute your example of a young 
woman who has taken the initiative and demonstrated business 
leadership. 
 
Women and Democracy 
 
Given that we are entering the electoral season in Kenya, it 
is particularly appropriate to address the issue of women and 
democracy. Gains for women's empowerment must be accompanied 
by commensurate progress in the political realm: women in 
Kenya need greater representation in politics and governance. 
 
There are many Kenyan women who aspire to be their 
communities' elected representatives. Running for public 
office is challenging for the most seasoned politicians, but 
the barriers are markedly greater for women in Kenya: 
negative stereotyping, violence, and intimidation continue to 
impede women's participation both as candidates and voters. 
Daunting as these challenges are, they must not deter Kenya's 
aspiring leaders. 
 
Much simpler, but no less profound than becoming a member of 
parliament, is the basic act of participating - registering 
to vote, and then voting; raising issues with your elected 
officials and then holding them accountable for their 
actions. Using your networks, you can get the message out, 
and mobilize women to get their names on the voters' list. 
Women are half of this country - you are a formidable voice 
that must be heard! 
 
Another example of the incredible impact of empowered women 
is found in an area of significant concern to both Kenyans 
and Kenya's friends: corruption. The World Bank concluded, 
based on a 1999 study, that the greater the representation of 
women in a country's parliament, the lower the level of 
corruption in that state. Researchers found that women are 
less likely to sacrifice the public good for personal gain. 
Increased female participation in government leads to more 
honest government - one more reason, among many, why more 
women belong in public office. 
 
Tonight, I am pleased that we are making several 
announcements of new U.S. initiatives to support women's 
empowerment. I'll touch on two of them, and Assistant 
Secretary Powell will discuss another on exchanges that is 
 
SIPDIS 
related. 
 
Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative 
 
While the incredible women here tonight have made significant 
strides in improving gender equity in Kenya, there is more 
work to be done. I am pleased to take the opportunity of 
International Women's Day to reaffirm the United States' 
commitment to supporting Kenyans on this journey. Tonight I 
am proud to announce a new program which we think will have 
significant and lasting impact in improving the lives of 
women in Kenya. 
 
The Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative will work to 
assist the existing efforts in Kenya to combat sexual 
violence and abuse against women and to empower them in 
society. Kenya, along with Zambia, Benin, and South Africa 
 
has been selected to benefit from this initiative. 
 
As you all know, the causes of sexual violence are complex 
and varied but common contributing factors include: lack of 
awareness; laws and practices that discriminate against women 
and limit their access to economic and judicial resources; 
judicial systems ill-equipped to investigate and prosecute 
cases of sexual violence; and inadequate services to assist 
victims of sexual violence. The United States is planning on 
providing $4.0 million in assistance for the first year of 
implementing this program in Kenya to protect women and to 
empower their role in society. This will be used to increase 
awareness of the need for women's justice and empowerment by 
addressing attitudes towards women, preventing violence, and 
educating Kenyans on their legal rights. 
 
The program will bolster women's justice and empowerment by 
strengthening the capacity of the legal system to protect 
women and punish violators by training police, prosecutors, 
and judges in sexual violence and abuse cases. This 
initiative will also raise women's awareness of their rights, 
and increase the availability of essential medical services 
and counseling programs for victims of sexual violence. 
 
Combating Female Genital Mutilation 
 
We will ensure that the Women's Justice and Empowerment 
Initiative also addresses one of the worst forms of violence 
against women: female genital mutilation. While this practice 
has rightfully been outlawed in Kenya, it remains a scourge 
in many parts of the country. In support of the 
implementation of the anti-FGM legislation, we have partnered 
with Kenyans to mainstream anti-gender-based violence 
activities, including FGM, in the healthcare system. 
 
As a further step in our support for combating this 
horrendous practice, we will provide assistance for the run 
to raise awareness against FGM to be held in April in the 
TransMara by the non-governmental organization Cherish 
Others, headed by Ruth Konchellah who is here with us 
tonight. I am pleased that the U.S. is continuing to support 
the efforts of Cherish Others, which has already saved many 
girls in the TransMara from FGM. Ruth and her team have 
worked hard to spread the message of the horrors of FGM to 
young women themselves, but also, and perhaps just as 
importantly, to their parents. I plan to participate in the 
run that Cherish Others is hosting. I hope that this event 
will help inspire everyone to redouble efforts to combat this 
awful practice. FGM has no place in the modern world! 
 
Ensuring that women are empowered to combat and overcome 
violence is fundamental to human dignity and a critical 
factor for achieving sustainable economic development and 
social harmony. This is the challenge to you as women leaders 
in Kenya: to intensify your participation in the democratic 
process, to make Kenya a safer place for women with a more 
responsive justice system, and to build a society that 
respects women's rights and the profound contribution women 
make in their communities. 
 
As you engage in the difficult work of dedicated and 
committed women, know that the United States stands by you 
and so many other women struggling against stereotypes, and 
tradition, and outright discrimination. Through the Women's 
Justice and Empowerment Initiative and other programs we will 
intensify our partnership with Kenya's women, helping to 
empower them as they continue building Kenya's bright future. 
 
End text. 
RANNEBERGER