Migori County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich has interdicted 10 chiefs and their assistants in Kuria sub-county for reportedly failing to report Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cases in their areas of administration.

This follows reports from police and other security agencies indicating that some chiefs were privy to the female circumcision practice but were not reporting the perpetrators to the relevant authorities.

Cherutich, while speaking at Maranatha Church in Kehancha, Kuria West, on Monday, said the government will not hesitate to interdict more chiefs deemed to be abbetting FGM in their areas of jurisdiction.

 Cherutich also proposed the promotion of four senior police officers for exceptional work in the war against FGM in Kuria.

He was speaking during a dialogue that brought together anti-FGM stakeholders in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), elders, religious leaders, activists, and the youth.

The meeting was graced by Ministry of Gender and Public Service CAS Rachel Shebesh alongside Anti-FGM Board chairperson Agnes Pareiyo, Gender, and Public Service (PS) Prof Collete Suda and Migori County Woman Representative Dr Pamela Odhiambo.

 Shebesh thanked Cherutich for taking action against non-compliant chiefs and warned that the law forbidding FGM in the country must be respected.

She challenged Kuria elders who are the custodians of the FGM culture to drop the practice which she noted had long term side effects including early marriages.

Shebesh said the government will make sure a presidential directive to end FGM by 2022 is achieved.

 Prof Suda regretted that FGM had resulted in many bright girls dropping out of school and called on all the stakeholders to join hands to accomplish the fight.

On her part, the Woman Rep promised to support women circumcisers who derive economic gains from the vice to start genuine income generating activities. – KNA