BY MANUEL ODENY

Over 500 girls from minority Kuria community in Migori county have faced Female Genital Mutilation with an equal number rescued in centers.

The alarming figures were revealed on Monday during the launch of 16 days of activism against gender based violence at Migori Primary in Migori county.

Activists said despite laws against the vice over 5,000 girls in Kuria are facing the risk of the cut.

While activists and law officers were marking the day, circumcised girls and their families have been celebrating openly in roads defying law enforcers.

With the huge number of cut only three suspects, all parents have been charged before Kehancha Law Courts for allowing their daughters to undergo the cut.

“We have an adhoc committee which brings police and activists and these figures are timely as from Thursday,” Vincent Mwita, an activist with Tunaweza Empowerment said.

“We are taking action against ending SGBV and this is urgent, especially in Kuria community where we are facing female genital mutilation,” Mwita said.

Janet Osoko and officer with Micontrap Kenya said they are facing challenge to control FGM due to proximity with Tanzania on a porous border.

“We have been working closely with government and police officers from both Kenya and Tanzania to ensure culprits who cut girls don’t cross to evade justice,” Osoko said.

Jane Awuor Agwenge an officer at Amua Mama Initiative and Fida Kenya representative in Migori said there is much to be done.

“We still have challenges of femicide and we call on all stakeholders to come in and help us change our perception to end SGBV,” she said.