The custom is a form of violence against women that has not been given corresponding legal attention locally. However, while no cases of forced circumcision have been recorded with the local administration, although the cases widely occur, such a situation would amount to inflicting a grievous harm on the person, an offence punishable by law in Kenya under the penal code. Female circumcision is also blamed for occasioning an array of other socio-economic development inhibitions in the area. A circumcised girl has a false cover of ascendance to adulthood. As such many of them elope into marriage immediately after circumcision.
Early marriage interferes with education of many girls in the area.
Schools in Mt. Elgon suffer serious enrolment declines in the years of circumcision. According to the District Social Development Officer, the third term fees in the circumcision year always lapses into the new year as household resources are directed to circumcision parties. In schools, girls who have been circumcised look at themselves differently - this also invites serious problems for uncircumcised teachers because such girls can engage in indiscipline with a lot more impudence and refuse to take punishment from the uncircumcised teachers. According to Dr. Ruth Kibiti of Institute of African Studies, Nairobi, the female circumcision problem in Mt. Elgon is still festering like a bad wound. In Kopsiro and Cheptais areas, female education is grossly affected because of the pervasive attachment to the FGM practise.