14 women arrested for aiding FGM

Narok,

Monday, December 4, 2023

KNA by Ann Salaton

Barely a week after 14 women were arrested for engaging in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Narok South Sub County, another group of 14 women has been arrested at Kondamet Sub Location in Trans Mara South Sub County for aiding the illegal act.

Narok County Police Commander John Kizito confirmed the arrest saying the police were acting on a tip-off from the members of the public who informed them of the intention to carry out the illegal act.

Kizito said the police stormed the homestead in the early morning where the women were gathered and managed to arrest the 14 aged between 20 and 60 years old.

“The police worked with the local administrators to storm into the house of the perpetrators where the 14 women, all from the Kipsigis community, were gathered,” he said.

He said the matter will be handed over to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) for prosecution in court.

The County Police Commander warned those who committed the illegal act that their days were numbered, as they would be arrested and prosecuted.

Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde has on several occasions warned against practicing the illegal act and directed the chiefs to report any homestead where the vice is practiced so that they can be punished accordingly.

“The chiefs who will continue hiding perpetrators of FGM risk losing their jobs. Chiefs should be at the forefront of fighting FGM, early marriages, and teenage pregnancy. We are aware that such vices are practiced during long school holidays,” he said.

The commissioner reiterated that all children who sat for the Kenya Primary Schools Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) must transit to Junior Secondary and secondary schools respectively.

According to the data from the Kenya Anti-FGM board, FGM prevalence in Narok County has reduced from 78 percent in 2014 to 51 percent in 2022.

Courtesy; KNA