44 girls rescued as efforts to end FGM in border towns intensify

According to police reports, the girls were due for circumcision yesterday, after being set up by their parents. Mwangi said the minors were temporarily held at Kehancha police station before being taken to a safe house.

This latest incident comes after reports reaching authorities showed that some families have been sending invitation cards in both Migori and the neighbouring Tanzania to those willing to attend the FGM ceremonies.

In one of the invitation cards seen by The Standard, a family urged people to attend the ceremony in large numbers, saying that their attendance was an indication of the success of the celebrations.

Out of the 44 rescued girls, 17 were taken between December 5 and December 7 at Ntimaru sub-county in Kuria, while 21 were rescued in a neighbouring location.

Another girl was rescued on December 8 at Simbori village in Kuria West sub-county following a tip off of a planned FGM practice.

However, Ntimaru police sub-county commander, Ali Aliyow, said no parent had been arrested during the police raids that were done with the assistance of area chiefs.

"We could not arrest the parents at this stage. However, we got information that the girls were being prepared for FGM," said Aliyow, adding that most FGM incidents were happening under the cover of male circumcision ceremonies, especially at night.

However police, working together with area chiefs, have intensified their patrols in the region, where they expect to rescue more girls.

On Tuesday, a joint meeting was held in Tanzania where stakeholders from both Kenya and the neighbouring country agreed on strategies to arrest those planning the illegal activity.

Tanzania's Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Misime, said they had arrested an elderly man whom they found distributing invitation cards at Tarime.

"It has emerged that there are preparations to conduct FGM which is illegal in the country," said Misime, noting that some ceremonies were scheduled to occur past midnight.

Together with several non-governmental organisations, the government has been conducting cross-border anti-FGM campaigns to help stop the vice.

Girls who are being targeted for FGM have also been urged to raise the alarm and report the perpetrators to authorities.

In December last year, over 300 girls were rescued and more than 60 FGM perpetrators who include 'cutters' and parents were arrested.