7 suspects arraigned for allegedly subjecting five girls to FGM in Nyeri

Seven people on Wednesday appeared before a Nyeri Court for subjecting minors to the illegal Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at Nginga village in Nyeri.

The accused, five women and two men were nabbed by Mukurweini based Police officers during a crackdown on April 4th 2022 in the county.

According to a National Police Service (NPS) report, the operation led to the apprehension of the seven, namely; Christine Nthenya, Alice Wandia, Cecilia Nyaguthii, Rose Mumbi, Esther Ng'endo and their male accomplices Aloise Waweru and Wahome Muriuki. Seven minors were rescued during the operation.

“The joint operation that involved county and national government officers was conducted on 4th April 2022 and led to the arrest of suspects believed to be complicit with the outlawed act,” reads the statement.

NPS further stated that the rescued victims had since been taken to hospitals while the suspects remain in custody awaiting a ruling on their bail application on 7th April 2022.

“Seven rescued girls are currently receiving medical attention under care and protection arrangements while the suspects are detained,” explained the NPS.

At the same time, the police service hailed a five-year-old girl who is said to have defied her tormentors before they orchestrated the crude act on her.

“NPS hails a brave defiant five (5) year old girl who stood up to the tormentors about to administer the crude act on her, and was thus spared the ordeal by the time police intervened.,” noted the statement.

While cautioning the public against carrying out such acts, the multi-agency body labelled the FGM practice ‘criminal’, hence punishable by law.

“FGM is not only outdated but also outlawed hence criminal. The practice puts women, especially young girls at grave physical and psychological health risk. It should therefore be condemned by all,” NPS noted.

The public is also urged to stay vigilant and report any cases related to FGM or SGBV to the authorities.