Several parents arrested in Migori over female circumcision

By NICK OLUOCH and NAFTALI MAKORI

Migori county: Police in Kuria, Migori County, have arrested nine people, including a female circumciser as circumcision season kicked off.

Speaking yesterday, Japhet Nyongesa, the Masaba-Mabera Divisional Officer, said among those arrested were three parents suspected to have been trying to have their girls circumcised.

“We were tipped off by locals that circumcision was being planned in the area,” he said.

Nyongesa announced that they had intensified patrols across the district to ensure no girl is circumcised. The administrator said they had been working closely with chiefs and their assistants to arrest culprits.

Elsewhere in Nyamira, FGM is said to be alarmingly high, despite campaigns to stop the rite.

Acting county Children Services Officer Samwel Masese yesterday urged the national and county governments to work together in tackling the problem that was affecting over 96 per cent of girls in the area. He spoke during closure of a three-day county Children Assembly, attended by over 60 children at Viongozi Pastoral Centre.