An underage girl from Nana Location in Moyale Sub-County of Marsabit County who had been married off by her parents has been rescued from
The girl was rescued and moved to the fathers’ uncles’ home that after noticing that the girl had been married off went and reported the matter to Nana locational senior chief Hassan Aden Salat who moved fast and took action.
The father of the girl and the man who had married the girl managed to escape to the neighbouring country of Ethiopia when reports reached to them that the matter had been reported.
A World Vision Official, Donald Kiptoo said the 14 year old girl is aged 14 had been married off by her parents who claimed that she is over 18 years old but according to the medical reports the girl is a minor.
The operation to rescue the minor was led by Corporal Tume Huka from the Moyale Police Station Gender Desk
Moyale Assistant County Commissioner One (ACC I) Martin Muhia urged locals to shun such retrogressive cultures that infringe on the rights of the girl-child adding that the practice is outdated.
He warned that marrying off a minor is a criminal offence under the prohibition of the Children’s Act and the penal code and those caught breaking the law will be charged in a court of law.
“Cases of early marriages are still very rampant and practiced secretly by communities living in Moyale but I want to warn those marrying off their underage girls that they will be arrested and dealt with accordingly. We will not relent in this fight, I want to urge all residents to report such cases to us immediately for action,” Muhia said.
He said although cases of early marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Moyale Sub County have subsided, members of the public in the interior still practice them where most girls do not go to school and still undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) before getting married off at a tender age.
The World Vision which a non-governmental organisation operating within the Sub-County work hand in hand with the National Government Administration and the Ministry of Education to help more girls attend schools.
By Gatana Muchira
