Nyamira Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Mary Orwenyo has called on county residents to abolish female genital mutilation, saying it has been outlawed in Kenya due to its side effects at adult age. Mrs Orwenyo, a former director at Sang’anyi Tea factory, discouraged the parents against engaging in the practice and said it was a criminal activity against the female gender and that stiff penalty awaited anyone who flouted the law. She said that the culture had been overtaken by events and it deceived young girls to feel they are grown up, adding that the culture associated with the act should be erased from the society as it inflicts pain when undergoing the ‘cut’ and during delivery. “I know you have been told in our churches and other gatherings that the act as been outlawed and if you found doing it, you will be imprisoned for six months, lets educate our girls as you know we are enlightening the society,” she said. Similar sentiments were echoed by Governor John Nyagarama. She also asked women to come in numbers and form many groups and the county government to offer a helping hand to their Saccos to improve their livelihoods.

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