Anti-FGM board warns perpetrators against the cut during Christmas holidays

 The anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) board has sent a warning to perpetrators in Garissa County that they will be arrested and prosecuted if found undertaking the outlawed practice.

At the same time, parents and guardians were advised to exercise high levels of vigilance during this long holiday by ensuring that their kids are safe from these vices.

It has been established that many parents from the region living abroad and in Eastleigh take advantage of the long vacation to sneak in their kids to be cut secretly and then return them back.

Speaking after engaging Garissa University students on promoting the board in creating FGM awareness during the holiday, anti-FGM board Head of Communications Brian Mureithi said the prevalence rate in Northern Kenyans stands at 96 per cent and using young people as agents of change would impact positively.

Mureithi said the board is optimistic that the figures would come down after choosing to incorporate the religious leaders and the young people in fighting FGM.

National Council for Population and Development Dr Mohammed Sheikh said many women in the region have developed complications after undergoing the cut and others have even died during the time of giving birth.