Kenyan Women Up to Sh300,000 on Surgery to Reclaim Sexual Well-Being

A growing number of women in Kenya are undergoing reconstructive surgery to address the physical and emotional effects of female genital mutilation (FGM), seeking medical treatment years after the practice was carried out in childhood.

In Nairobi, women are increasingly turning to clitoral reconstruction as a way to restore bodily function and regain a sense of control over their lives. For many, the decision is both medical and deeply personal, shaped by long-term consequences of a practice rooted in cultural tradition.

Safia, a 32-year-old mother of two, describes her surgery as a defining moment in her life. She and her sisters were circumcised at the age of nine as part of a customary rite in their Somali community. At the time, the event was marked by celebration and gifts and presented as an essential step into womanhood. Years later, the physical and psychological effects of the procedure led Safia and her siblings to seek surgical intervention.

Her experience reflects a broader trend among women in their thirties and forties who are only now learning that reconstructive options exist. The procedures vary depending on the form of FGM performed. In general, surgeons aim to uncover remaining tissue and improve sensation and function. Safia underwent a relatively straightforward operation because her clitoris had been partially cut. Her sisters, who experienced more severe forms of mutilation, required more complex surgery.

The cost of the procedure ranges from Sh100,000 to Sh300,000, depending on the extent of the surgery and the type of anaesthesia used. Safia’s operation cost Sh200,000 and was carried out by a plastic surgeon in Nairobi. She says her partner’s financial and emotional support was essential in her decision to proceed.

Medical experts stress that results are not guaranteed. 

The World Health Organisation states that while some women report reduced pain and improved sexual function, evidence on long-term outcomes remains limited. Surgeons emphasise the need for realistic expectations. Dr Christopher Matwa, one of the few specialists in Kenya offering the procedure, says the success of surgery depends largely on the type of FGM involved. Types one and two are generally less complex to treat, while types three and four often require extensive reconstruction over several stages.

External healing typically takes two to three weeks, although internal recovery may take longer. Some patients choose additional treatments, including injections intended to stimulate nerve growth and improve sensation. Dr Matwa performs four to five reconstructive surgeries each year, mainly on older women who have had time to consider the long-term impact of FGM.

Social stigma continues to deter many women from seeking treatment openly. Some keep their decision hidden from family members, particularly older relatives who continue to support circumcision as a cultural practice. Safia says she cannot tell her mother, who still views FGM as a vital tradition and disapproves of her daughters’ decision not to circumcise their own children.