The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has raised alarm over reports that newborn girls in Tharaka Nithi County are being subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM).
In a statement shared on X on Friday, February 13, 2026, the women’s rights organisation said it had received disturbing information indicating that the outlawed practice is now being carried out on infants. FIDA termed the move not only illegal but deeply harmful, warning that subjecting newborns to FGM exposes them to severe health risks and lifelong trauma.
According to police sources, the deceased, identified as Edmond Rono, died by suicide after hanging himself using the edge of his sweater, which he tied to the electricity earth wire in one of the electricity poles within the compound.
The sources said the man, a resident from the nearby village, arrived at the station in the wee hours of Thursday night while riding a motorbike.
They said the man appeared to have been intoxicated and the officers on duty decided to place him in the cells for further interrogation.
However, the deceased managed to escape and left behind his motorcycle which was detained at the station.
At dawn on Friday, the officers discovered the lifeless body of the deceased who is believed to have crept back into the station compound, dangling from the electric pole.
According to the deceased’s family members, the man had attempted to die by suicide, but he was restrained.
The body was later removed and transferred to Kapkatet Hospital mortuary.
