An administration chief from Mwongori area in Borabu constituency has warned parents against engaging in the FGM practice that was banned by the government.
Speaking at his Mwongori backyard on Thursday, Chief David Ogega said most parents were practising the outlawed act in high secrecy but warned of stern action from the government on those found liable of committing the crime.
On Wednesday, the chief arrested a woman believed to be executing the crime on young girls and took him to Keroka police station waiting to be charged.
“FGM is outlawed and everyone knows that. As government officials, our work is to implement government policy. Whoever is found committing the crime, will be subjected to authorities to face the due process of the law. I arrested the notorious lady who has been on the forefront of operating on the girls,” he said.
Mr Ogega urged the community to join the government in fighting the vice besides announcing Sunday as the day set aside to sensitise people against the crime.
“This vice has almost been routed out from Gusii region and it is quite surprising that our people have failed to honor the government policy. I call upon the community to help us curb the crime. We agreed with elders to set Sundays aside to sensitize our people against FGM,” he said.
The FGM practice has drastically reduced in Gusii region with few individuals still practising it said to be doing it in secrecy. However, the tradition is highly practised in Kuria region in the neighboring Migori County.
(Mwongori Residents listening to the area Chief David Ogega. The government servant warned residents against practicing FGM as he announced arresting on a woman believed to be an expert in operating on young girls/Stephen Makori)