Speaking when they appeared before Nakuru Principal Magistrate Liz Gicheha Tuesday, Sharon Chepkoech, Gladys Chebet and Naomi Cherono said they were suffering ridicule and isolation by their women folk because they were perceived as “unclean”.
“Fellow women cannot mingle with us, they insult and discriminate against us when we go to the river or in the forest to fetch firewood,” said Cherono.
The three together with one of the women’s husband, Christopher Kipngetich were charged with practicing, aiding and abetting FGM.
They allegedly conspired to secretly carry out FGM on December 4 at Mauche village within Njoro Sub-County.
The three were also accused of accepting to be mutilated as well as not reporting the act to authorities since they knew it was illegal.
Kipngetich allegedly gave out his house to be used for FGM purposes as well as not reporting the act to the authority.
He denied the charges and was released on a surety bond of Sh200,000 with an alternative cash bail of Sh30,000.
The women pleaded guilty and pleaded for leniency. The court ordered for a probation report on the women to be produced in court next week.
