This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
On Tuesday, July 9, 2019, police officers and anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) crusader Dorcas Parit rescued a 10-year-old girl from Entonet, Kajiado South, who had been forced into marriage with a 45-year-old man.
The girl's parents had arranged the marriage after receiving four cows as dowry on Sunday, July 7, 2019.
Parit, who was informed of the forced marriage by a villager, immediately alerted the police, who arrived at the homestead to find the suitor had fled, leaving the minor alone.
Parit expressed concern over the increasing number of girls being forced into early marriages and subjected to FGM, saying, 'It is sad that there is an increase in the number of girls being married off after undergoing FGM. This past week alone we have managed to rescue three girls. I want to urge all residents to report such cases to the police immediately.'
Area Deputy County Commissioner, Lawrence Kinyua, summoned the area chief, who allegedly participated in the dowry ceremony and the blessing of the marriage, and warned residents against retrogressive cultures such as FGM and early marriages that infringe on the rights of the girl-child.
He reminded the public that FGM is a criminal offence under the laws of Kenya and that chiefs have a responsibility to uphold the law and protect the rights of the girl-child.
