Police in Marsabit rescue 8-year-old girl from early marriage
Marsabit County Coordinator of Children Services Simeon Ogao leads police officers to a house to rescue an eight-year-old girl (right) who had been married off to a 40-year-old man. PHOTO | KEN BETT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Police Boss Ben Kogo said police had launched a manhunt for the man, who escaped a police dragnet.
- The police boss decried increasing cases of child abuse in the area and warned residents about female circumcision and early marriages.
- Mr Ogao said they were concerned that cases of early marriages in Laisamis Sub-County were on the rise.
- He said they had taken the child for a medical examination and were trying to find a rescue centre to take the minor.
Police have rescued an eight-year-old girl from being married off to a 40-year-old man in Korr, Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit County.
The nursery school pupil at Ngurunit Primary School had been taken by the suitor from the school to his house in Korr Village.
Marsabit County Coordinator of Children Services Simeon Ogao said the child was secluded in a house and had already undergone circumcision.
Marsabit County Police Boss Ben Kogo they had launched a manhunt for the man, who escaped a police dragnet.
"The suspect escaped after learning we were pursuing him," said Mr Kogo.
The police boss decried increasing cases of child abuse in the area and warned residents about female circumcision and early marriages.
He assured the public that the police would not rest until the suspect behind the marriage incident is arrested and punished.
Mr Ogao said they were concerned that cases of early marriages in Laisamis Sub-County were on the rise.
“It is a big concern to us as the children’s department. We need support from the elders and all leaders to weed out all the perpetrators because it is a deep-rooted culture," said Mr Ogao.
He said they had taken the child for a medical examination and were trying to find a rescue centre to take the minor.
