Muranga woman was not forcefully circumcised – Anti FGM Board

The Anti-FGM Board has denied claims by a 30-year-old woman
who said her husband forcefully circumcised her.

According to the board, there is no medical evidence to prove
that the lady from Muranga forcefully underwent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
at the hands of her husband and his friends.

In a statement on Wednesday, Agnes Pareyio, the board’s
chairperson stated that claims by the 38-year-old lady from Kandara have not
been ratified.

Pareiyo said that from the medical report, the lady was
assaulted and it’s not clear if the husband with his friends wanted to
circumcise her.

She argued that the board together with security officers
are still conducting thorough investigations to ascertain the truth of the
incident which occurred about a month ago.

The lady who is still recuperating in hospital made a report
to the police station claiming that her husband together with 10 people
circumcised her.

She said that her husband is a follower of a cult dubbed
Gwata Ndai, which is advocating and perpetuating FGM.

The chairperson however raised alarm over increased FGM
cases in central part of Kenya warning those who are behind the retrogressive behaviors.

She said they are investigating several cases saying as a
board they will embark on a programme to educate people on negative effects of
FGM.

“FGM preference among the Kikuyu community is at 26 percent.
It’s a worrying trend considering people from central region are educated and
well conversant with impacts associated with FGM,” Pareyio said while at the
office of Murang’a county commissioner.

She observed that intensive sanitization programme need to
be rolled out targeting to education young people on dangers associated with
FGM.

“FGM is quite high in 22 counties. Murang’a is not one of
them but we are investigating to know the reality and apprehend those who want
to bring back the behaviors among the community,” added the Chairperson.

Among the communities which are leading in conducting FGM,
Pareyio said include Kisii, Maasai, Samburu and Somali.

Speaking during the same occasion Murang’a county
commissioner Fredrick Ndunga stated that the lady claiming to have been forced
to FGM was assaulted.

Ndunga said from the report they gathered, the wife and her
husband have been having wrangles in their marriage for many years.

“Two medical assessments were done and none proved the lady
from Kandara underwent FGM. We are still investigating deeper to know the truth
of the matter and what transpired,” he added.

The commissioner asked local residents to provide security
officers with factual information and avoid peddling rumors especially on
sensitive issues.

“We are also investigating about cults which are said to be behind FGM and soon we will get the truth of the matter. No one will be spared if found perpetuating the behaviors,” the commissioner said.