This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On diverse dates this year, five women in Central Imenti, Kenya, willingly sought and underwent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) services. Florence Kiende, Caroline Wanja, Charity Karimi, Charity Muthoni, and Winfred Kawira pleaded guilty to the charge and were subsequently sentenced to three years in prison or a Sh200,000 fine.
The court, presided over by Resident Magistrate Evelyn Wachira Ndegwa, heard that the women had sought the services on various dates this year. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) introduced P3 forms corroborating the occurrence of the incidents before the court.
According to the court, Florence Kiende, 28, had sought the services of a local FGM practitioner on July 14, 2019, at around 9pm. She told the court that she had decided to get circumcised because her grandmother had told her it was best. Wanja, on the other hand, underwent circumcision on August 29 at around 8pm at Kanyuii sub-location. She was arrested after a tip-off from the public.
Karimi is said to have undergone the procedure on July 14 in Kathwene sub-location at around 6pm. Kawira, is also accused of undergoing the cut at Makandune sub-location on July 14. Charity Muthoni underwent the procedure on August 28 at Chura sub-location, knowing it was a risk to her health. She was taken to Githongo sub-county where an examination revealed septic wounds on her private parts which were treated.
Following the conviction, Imenti Central Sub-County Commander John Tarus issued a strong warning to women seeking services of FGM practitioners across the county, stating that the practice has been overtaken by time and perpetrators would face the law.
