Three fined Sh200,000 for practicing FGM

Iten,

Thursday December 7, 2023

KNA Alice Wanjiru/Blessed Kemboi

As the country marks the 16 days against gender based violence, three people among them a grandmother have been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment each, or pay a fine of Sh200,000 after they pleaded guilty to practicing female genital mutilation. 

Sakoma Jepkiror, the grandmother appeared before Iten senior resident magistrate Emily Kigen charged that on November 13 this year at Talal Village in Marakwet East sub county, they carried out the illegal act against her granddaughter aged 19 years old.

The other two co accused Edward Maiyo and Gladys Jeptoo faced the charge of not reporting the crime despite witnessing it.

The prosecutor, Felix Namasaka told the court that on the material day, one of the neighbours reported to the village elder about the incident who in turn mobilized residents to rescue the girl.

However, by the time the residents reached the home they found that the girl had already been mutilated. They reported the incident to the police and the trio were arrested.

 The three pleaded guilty to the charge and in mitigation appealed for leniency from the court saying they will not repeat the offence pledging to be ambassadors in the fight against FGM.

The court sentenced them to 12 months or a fine of sh. 200,000 each. They were unable to raise the fine and were taken to prison. They have 14 days to appeal against the sentence. 

FGM is the most prevalent form of gender-based violence in the county and is mostly practiced in Marakwet East. 

Courtesy; KNA