Rongai Leakwara, a 49-year-old mother of five, is a fierce advocate for women and girls’ rights in Baringo County. Independent and resilient, her adult children still turn to her for support.
Despite physical challenges—paralysis in one leg due to childhood polio and weakness in the other, requiring her to use crutches—Leakwara has become a symbol of strength in her community.
Her journey is remarkable. A victim of female genital mutilation (FGM) at a young age, Leakwara has transformed her personal suffering into a crusade to end both FGM and child marriage in the Ilchamus community. Her passion stems from a deep desire to break the silence that has oppressed women for generations, and she is making significant progress in her efforts.
As an award-winning gender champion from the small, marginalized Ilchamus community, Leakwara works tirelessly to protect the rights of women and girls. She recalls her motivation for activism coming from witnessing the oppression and voicelessness of women in her community. FGM, deeply rooted in Ilchamus culture, is a harmful tradition where men believe that uncircumcised women are not worthy of marriage. Moreover, mothers who have not undergone FGM are often barred from having their sons circumcised, further entrenching the practice.
“I am fighting for girls to avoid FGM and forced early marriages. These cases have decreased because we work closely with authorities to ensure such practices don’t occur,” she said. Her work has not come without resistance. Leakwara has faced hostility from men in her community who view her empowerment initiatives as a threat to their authority. In one horrific incident in June 2022, she was attacked by two men who attempted to suffocate her. She managed to survive, but her hand was broken in the assault. Despite the physical and emotional scars, Leakwara continues her advocacy undeterred.
Some men go as far as stopping their wives from attending her meetings, claiming her efforts are pointless. Many women, fearing reprisal from their husbands, refrain from engaging in these forums. Leakwara believes, however, that with persistent sensitization and education of women and girls, these backward practices can be eliminated.
“By training women about their rights, we can put an end to these vices. They should be exposed to counties where these harmful traditions don’t exist, so they can learn and bring those lessons back to our community,” she said.
Leakwara’s own journey was marked by personal loss and resilience. After her father, who was sponsoring her education, passed away in 1992, she was forced to stop her studies after completing Standard 8. However, she never gave up hope. She turned her hardships into a driving force for helping other women and girls in Baringo, the very place she was born.
Her fight against FGM and child marriage is fueled by the high number of cases reported to authorities. A recent report by the National Research Centre shows that gender-based violence in Baringo County stands at a staggering 64 percent—among the highest in the country.
In addition to her work against FGM, Leakwara advocates for women’s land inheritance rights and girls’ education, both of which are culturally taboo in her community. “In my community, it is unthinkable for a woman to inherit land. I want to see a just society where women and girls are no longer oppressed or harassed. Their rights should be respected,” she said.
The statistics are alarming. UNICEF data shows that more than 230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM, with over 144 million in Africa alone. In Kenya, the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey revealed an FGM prevalence rate of 15 percent. This means that 15 percent of girls and women aged 15 to 49 have been cut, despite the practice having no medical benefits and carrying severe health risks, including death, infection, and complications during childbirth.
Leakwara’s efforts are bearing fruit. Thanks to her initiatives, fewer parents are pulling their daughters from school to force them into early marriages. “No one is stopping their daughter’s education for marriage anymore, and that is a significant achievement. FGM cases are rare now, and if they happen, it’s done in secrecy,” she said.
Beyond her activism against FGM and child marriage, Leakwara has also helped amplify the voices of people with disabilities (PWDs) in her male-dominated community. Through her NGO, the Ilchamus Disability Network, she has changed perceptions about PWDs, once seen as a curse in the community. Her advocacy has encouraged their participation in governance and decision- making, further empowering marginalized groups.
“I championed women’s inclusion in governance, and many women who heard my message have taken it to heart,” she said. As a result of her efforts, women from the Ilchamus community are increasingly running for elective positions.
Leakwara’s eldest son, 32-year-old Tugay Rafson, attests to his mother’s unwavering dedication. A farmer, Rafson recalls how his mother, despite being a single parent with no formal employment, worked tirelessly to provide for her family. “Life was hard. We went to school even though she struggled to pay our fees. But she never gave up, and we owe her everything,” Rafson said.
Her community recognizes her contributions. The local area chief, speaking anonymously for protocol reasons, lauded her efforts in reducing FGM and child marriage. “Rongai Leakwara has significantly influenced the community. Her sensitization initiatives have played a key role in shunning these harmful practices. Today, cases of FGM are rare,” the chief said.
Leakwara’s influence has inspired others. Benadina Kochei, a gender activist from the Endorois community, has followed in Leakwara’s footsteps, advocating against FGM in her community, where the practice is equally entrenched.
Leakwara’s friend, Everlyn Lolgisoi, a public health nurse, emphasized that men must be included in the fight against harmful traditions. “In our culture, men uphold these traditions. Their involvement is crucial in ending FGM and child marriage,” Lolgisoi said.
Leakwara’s work reflects the broader goals of Kenya’s constitution, which emphasizes human dignity, equity, social justice, and the protection of marginalized groups. Advocates like Leakwara are essential to realizing these constitutional principles and advancing gender equality.
Her advocacy extends to people with disabilities as well. Isaac Manyonge from the National Council of Persons Living with Disabilities praised her efforts, noting that Leakwara and others like her are protected by the constitution to engage in governance and advocacy.
Despite the progress made, challenges remain. At the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women held in March 2024, experts warned that the fight for gender equality must accelerate to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, activists like Rongai Leakwara continue to pave the way for a future where women, girls, and people with disabilities can live with dignity, free from oppression.
In her words, “I want to see a just society. I don’t want to see women and girls being abused or harassed. I want their rights to be respected.”