Migori County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich has interdicted ten chiefs and their assistants in Kuria region for reportedly failing to report Female Genital Mutilation cases in their area of administration.
This comes after reports from police and other security agencies indicated that some chiefs were privy to the cutting of girls but were not reporting the perpetrators to the relevant authorities.
Cherutich while speaking at Maranatha Church in Kehancha, Kuria West Monday said the government will not hesitate to interdict more chiefs seemed to be abetting FGM in their areas of jurisdiction.
Cherutich also proposed the promotion of four senior police officers for exceptional work in the war against FGM in Kuria.
He was speaking during a dialogue that brought together anti-FGM stakeholders in Non-Governmental Organizations, elders, religious leaders, activists, and youths.
The meeting was graced by Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Public Service Rachel Shebesh alongside Anti-FGM Board Chairperson Agnes Pareiyo, Gender, and Public Service Principal Secretary Prof. Collete Suda and Migori County Women Representative Dr. Pamela Odhiambo.
Shebesh thanked commissioner Cherutich for taking action against non-compliant chiefs and warned that the law forbidding FGM in the country must be respected.
She challenged Kuria elders who are the custodians of the FGM culture to drop the practice which she stressed had long term side effects including early marriages.
Shebesh said the government will make sure presidential directive to end FGM by 2022 is achieved.
Prof. Suda regretted that FGM has resulted in many bright girls dropping from school and called on all the stakeholders to join hands to accomplish the fight.
On her part, the Women Rep promised to support women circumcisers who derive economic gains from the vice to start genuine income generating activities.
By Geoffrey Satia
Ten chiefs fired for abetting FGM
