Cases of Female Genital mutilation (FGM) have reduced by 80% in Kalkacha location of Tana River County, following civic education that was conducted in the area against the vice since last year.
Speaking to the press at Makutano Trading Centre in Kalkacha location, the area Chief Mr Osman Dara, said after the civic education on the dangers of FGM to the local community, cases of FGM has gone down considerably.
Chief Dara also said before the civic education, about two cases of FGM were being reported in the location, every month.
However, he said “after serious campaigns against FGM practice those who were conducting it have abandoned the exercise and are working on income generating activities like rearing sheep and goats”.
On cases of early marriages among the pastoralist community, the Chief said civic education and frequent reducing visits by the Children’s services officers in the location has helped in discouraging the practice.
He, however, cautioned parents against marrying off school girls and warned that those found engaging in the practice will be arrested and prosecuted under Children’s Act 2010.
By Simon Guruba
