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Isiolo parents warned against subjecting girls to FGM during holidays

Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding at his office in Isiolo town. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

By Waweru Wairimu | Tuesday, April 16, 2024

FGM, which remains a major impediment to girls' access to education, causes bleeding, infections, complications during childbirth, and an increased risk of newborn deaths.

Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding has warned parents and guardians against marrying off or subjecting their daughters to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) during the holiday break and consequently directed chiefs to rein in the culprits.

The administrator said parents who expose their girls to the harmful practice will be arrested and prosecuted for failing to protect them from abuse.

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Communities that practice FGM, which involves partial or total removal of female external genitalia or injury to genital organs for non-medical reasons, consider it a way to prepare girls for adulthood and marriage.

"Parents must ensure the children are safe while at home and are not subjected to any harm," Omoding said, asking them to monitor who they spend time with and where to prevent them from drug and substance indulgence.

FGM, which remains a major impediment to girls' access to education, causes bleeding, infections, complications during childbirth, and an increased risk of newborn deaths.

Data from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics show that 65 per cent of girls aged between 15-19 years in the county have undergone the cut against the national average of 21 per cent while the teenage birth rate among girls aged 10-14 years stands at 18 per cent in the county.

Omoding said the government was keen on protecting girls to enable them to pursue education to the highest level so that they are not lured into early marriages.

"We will, while they return after the break, ensure all of them are back to school and track those who might fail to report back. We want girls in school so that they are safe from harmful practices," he noted.

Parents were also warned against allowing the boys to get into the bodaboda business as it could make some refuse to go back to school ostensibly due to returns from the venture.

In the wake of ongoing rains that have destroyed road infrastructure in the county, Omoding asked residents in low-lying areas to relocate to higher grounds to evade loss of lives and destruction to properties.

Isiolo is among the counties that the weatherman has listed that will experience flash floods following the downpour.

"I appeal to our people to avoid crossing swollen rivers and streams so that we can protect lives," Omoding said.

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man is fighting for his life at a hospital in Isiolo following last weekend's attack by a crocodile while crossing a flooded stream within Bulesa in Chari ward, Merti Sub-County.

Kala Halkano suffered severe injuries to his legs and one of his hands during the incident.