Tana River FGM raid puts focus on six offences under Kenya’s law
Police in Tana River arrested one person and recovered suspected surgical tools in a raid on an alleged FGM network. Under Kenya's 2011 anti-FGM law, a conviction carries at least three years in jail, a fine of at least KSh 200,000, or both.
Police raided Mororo village in Bangale Sub-County, Tana River, in an operation against an alleged female genital mutilation (FGM) network, Pulse Live Kenya reported. Officers recovered suspected surgical equipment and arrested one person. Police said seven girls are believed to have undergone the procedure. Investigations are continuing, and officers are trying to trace others involved. The raid has put the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011, back in the spotlight. Sections 19 to 24 set out six offences. Section 19 makes it a crime to perform FGM on anyone. The Act defines FGM as partial or total removal of female genitalia, injury to female genital organs, or other harmful procedures done for non-medical reasons. A person does not have to do the cutting to face prosecution. Under Section 20, aiding, counselling, encouraging or arranging FGM is an offence. Section 21 bans taking someone out of Kenya, or bringing someone into the country, to be cut. Section 22 targets anyone who knowingly lets premises they control be used for the procedure.…
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