Phanice Khatundi's public ridicule of FGM survivor exposes legal gap in war on vice
Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee for Agriculture Phanice Khatundi Naliaka during a press conference at meeting held at Boma In Hotel in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on January 29, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Phanice Khatundi sparks outrage after publicly ridiculing an FGM survivor, prompting condemnation from rights groups and women leaders.
- Anti-FGM Board and women parliamentarians demand an apology from Phanice for remarks reinforcing stigma against FGM survivors.
In 2011 when Kenyan legislators passed the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Act, they paved the way for the prosecution of individuals who engaged in or promoted the practice.
The law criminalised the use of derogatory or abusive language intended to ridicule, embarrass, or harm a woman for not undergoing FGM. This offence is punishable by a jail term of at least six months or a minimum fine of Sh50,000. However, the Act failed to address one critical issue: the punishment for ridiculing women who have undergone the cut.
Perhaps Phanice Khatundi, the Trans Nzoia County Executive Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, was aware of this legal gap when she publicly humiliated another woman during a public event. A widely circulated video on social media captured her remarks, which were met with cheers from locals.
Read more: Stigma hampers FGM war
The incident occurred during the maize seed distribution under the Operation Fukuza Njaa initiative on March 28, 2025, in Alakara village, Hospital ward, Kiminini. In the video, she states, “Since she has undergone the cut, she sees herself as being on the same level as men.”
Her assertion is based on the assumption that all women from her community undergo FGM. However, her remarks not only intrude the woman’s privacy but also violate Article 31 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to privacy.
Approached for a right of reply, Phanice blocked a Nation Media Group (NMG) journalist after being asked for comment on the matter. A second attempt by another NMG journalist to seek clarification also went unanswered. On further inquiry with those close to her, they said she felt her statement had been over-analysed and taken out of context.
Read more: FGM's bold return: A decade of silence, now proudly public, and why old messages aren't working
On her Facebook page, Phanice describes herself as a philanthropist, educationist, and dedicated political leader. However, her recent remarks suggest otherwise, portraying an educationist with little understanding of the impact of words and the importance of avoiding statements that perpetuate harm and normalise practices detrimental to women.
The Anti-FGM Board condemned her remarks on March 29, 2025, describing them as “profoundly disheartening”.
“Kenya has more than four million survivors of FGM; women who are leaders, mothers, and wives. They are not less human. Reducing them to stereotypes only deepens the stigma and undermines the fight against this harmful practice,” said Chief Executive Officer Bernadette Loloju.
In solidarity with survivors, the board demanded a public apology and an immediate retraction of her statement. Asked whether she would apologise and whether she understood that her remarks encouraged stigmatisation of FGM survivors, Phanice chose not to respond.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association issued a statement on March 30, 2025, reminding her that women in leadership should be defined by their vision, competence, and dedication to service, not by outdated perceptions rooted in harmful practices.
“FGM is a recognised violation of human rights, and no woman should be subjected to stigma or discrimination based on her background,” chairperson Leah Sankaire said.
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