Chief who allowed daughters’ circumcision charged

A chief from Narok has been charged in court for allowing his two daughters to undergo forceful circumcision.

Mr Lekishon Moriaso the administrator of Maji Moto Location in Narok South District appeared before Narok Resident Magistrate Zainab Abdul and denied three charges of having committed the offence on April 15, 2014.

The chief who was represented by lawyer Martin Ole Kamwaro was released a Sh100,000 bond or an alternative cash bail of Sh50,000 until May 2, 2014.

The case will be heard under a certificate of urgency in order for the girls to be able to testify and return to school as the second term starts.

50 year old Moriaso was accused of aiding female genital mutilation (FGM) on his two daughters Ann Moriaso, 15, and Latifa Moriaso who is 16 years old. Both are pupils of Enkare Narirowua Primary School in Narok South District.

He was further accused of knowingly allowing female genital mutilation in his homestead as the head of the home and failing to report the occurrence to the authorities contrary to the Anti FGM Act, 2011.

“Being a chief he failed to report accordingly that an offense of FGM is being conducted in his homestead contrary to section 24 of the Prohibition of FGM Act,” said the charge sheet.

The two girls who underwent the process were rushed for treatment at the Narok General Hospital after developing complications related to FGM.

RESCUED

The girls were rescued by Narok South Sub-County Commissioner Joseph Nyakundi following a tip off from members of public.

The chief was arrested while conducting a “Ntalengo” (a Maasai circumcision ceremony) in his home.

The prosecution led by state counsel Evans Gitonga pleaded with the court to expedite the case and applied for a closer hearing date where the two girls will testify before they go back to school as the schools open.

He said the girls are currently sheltered at Tasaru Girls Rescue Home in Narok town.