This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, police in Njoro, Nakuru County, arrested three women and a man in connection with female genital mutilation (FGM) cases.
According to Njoro Deputy Officer Commanding Police Division Gladys Madee, the three women, aged 21, 29, and 30, underwent FGM at Mauche Area in Nakuru County.
Ms Madee stated that the four suspects were arrested on Monday night at a house in Tebeswet Village in Kapkembo sub-Location, following a tip-off from the public.
"Police while acting on a tip-off from the public raided the house and managed to arrest the four suspects," said Ms Madee.
Three other suspects managed to escape during the operation, she said.
The women, who were taken to Njoro Sub-County Hospital for tests, were confirmed to have undergone the ‘cut’.
According to the police, five women underwent the ‘cut’ last week while another one was mutilated on Saturday.
The man in the cells, said to be the host, is the husband of one of the women who underwent FGM.
FGM is rampant among communities living in Mauche, on the outskirts of Njoro town, and the outlawed practice is mainly carried out during December holidays when schools close.
The suspects told police that they decided to undergo the ‘cut’ to avoid discrimination and intimidation from 'cut' community members.
Ms Madee stated that the suspects will be charged with procuring FGM while the man will face charges of abetting the ‘cut’.
Police are still pursuing the three other women and the person who ‘cut’ them.
