Migori County Commissioner Kisilu Mutua has confirmed that 340 girls have so far been rescued and are being held at three rescue centres in the Kuria region as the government intensifies the fight against FGM.
Mutua disclosed that the police have until now been able to arrest four perpetrators, including a ‘cutter’ who had 72 knives in her possession and is believed to be from the neighbouring Tanzanian.
He said that those arrested would be answerable to the law since most of the girls who have gone through the knife are minors who do not have the right to consent to FGM.
The administrator also pointed out that this year there has been an increased rate of the practice because more Kuria clans decided to do the cut this year.
“This year in December and November, we have witnessed the largest number of FGM practices in both Kuria Sub-Counties as compared to other years,” said Mutua.
The official disclosed that the security officers are on a stand to ensure the retrogressive vice is eliminated, especially the cross-border FGM.
Mutua, however, urged the Kuria parents to play their roles and ensure that their daughters are safe from individuals that can influence them to undergo the cut.
“We are calling upon the parents, especially from the Kuria community, to take good care of their daughters. Any guardian that will subject their daughters to the cut will be held responsible and answerable to the law,” advised Mutua.
He added that the multiagency security team will continue to work with their counterparts from Tanzania to ensure that the cross-border FGM is tackled effectively.
The FGM fights come after various Migori Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) decried the rising cases of FGM in the two sub-counties of Kuria West and Kuria East.
By Beryl Akinyi
