Police in Keiyo South Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet, are investigating an incident where a woman died after reportedly undergoing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kocholwo village.
Confirming the incident, Keiyo South Deputy County Commissioner Dianah Wekesa says another woman has been hospitalised at Kocholwo Sub-County Hospital after developing complications from the criminalised rite of passage.
Police have since arrested a female suspect, who is said to be the circumciser who conducted the botched clitoridectomy.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two women underwent the FGM on Monday, November 18 following an agreement with their husbands.
The husbands fled the area after the unfortunate turn of events, and are currently being pursued by police officers.
The body has been removed to the morgue awaiting the postmortem.
What the law says
The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011 (Act No. 32) in Kenya criminalises FGM and establishes penalties for those who commit the act.
According to the Act, it is an offence for one to; aid and abet FGM, procure a person to perform FGM in another country, allow his or her premises to be used to perform FGM, possess tools or equipment to perform FGM, fail to report commission of offence of FGM, and use derogatory or abusive language on a woman who has not undergone FGM.
The Act is also categorical that in the process of committing an FGM offence, a person who causes the death of another shall be liable to imprisonment for life.
