CS Murkomen orders arrest of FGM perpetrators including elders

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered for the arrest of elders and all those perpetrating female genital mutilation in Kerio Valley and other parts of the country.

Murkomen said the order will be effected in counties which have been experiencing FGM, especially during the December holidays.

The CS named the notorious FGM zones as Marakwet, West Pokot, Samburu, Kisii, Migori and parts of Northeastern region.

He said the government had activated security teams that will be used to ensure that there will be no cases of FGM during the December period.

“I do not want to hear anything like FGM here in Marakwet come December. If anthing like that will happen then I will be here to ensure that those involved are arrested.”

The minister was speaking at Embobut in Elgeyo Marakwet during Mazingira Day tree planting activities. He said FGM had ruined the lives of many young girls who are forced to get married after dropping out of school.

“We are building schools so that our children get educated and we must give our girls chance to learn. Those interfering with the lives of our girls must be stopped,” Murkomen said.

He added chiefs and other government officers had express instructions to ensure that perpetrators of FGM are held and prosecuted.

He told the chiefs that they would be held responsible if FGM cases are reported in their areas.

“Even if they are elders, including women who will be found carrying out FGM, they will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said

At the same time, he urged residents to be active in environment conservation and protect the Embobut Forest.

“We must plant trees and protect our forests at all costs because a good environment contributes to our health and wellbeing,” the CS said, adding that the President Ruto’s vision to plant 15 billion trees is on course and must be supported by all Kenyans. 

”If we achieve that we will have increased our forest cover to help sustain good environment in the country.”