Seven girls hospitalised after forced FGM

Seven girls have been admitted at the Embu Level Five Hospital after they were forced to undergo female genital mutilation in Gichiche village, Mbeere South.

The seven, aged between 9 and 11 were taken to hospital by government officials who rescued them from a traditional circumciser.

Embu county commissioner Esther Maina says police have arrested the traditional practitioner together with the parents who forced their daughters to undergo the outlawed practice.

Maina further indicated that police have also launched a manhunt for two other parents of the victims who have since gone into hiding.

The county boss now says that security agencies have intensified surveillance to protect the girl child from the “heinous act”.

The commissioner added that the county, in partnership with the national government affirmative action fund will ensure that there is a programme where young girls can be taken through alternative rites of passage as well as counsel parents on the dangers of FGM.