8-Year-Old Girl Rescued as Mother Arrested Over FGM in Nairobi

Police officers from Dandora Police Station in Nairobi have arrested a 32-year-old woman after she was allegedly caught by neighbours subjecting her 8-year-old daughter to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) using a surgical blade.

In a statement on Thursday, October 8, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the incident occurred at Dandora Phase 2 Estate after neighbours raised the alarm and confronted the suspect, identified as Frolence Ngendo Nyambura, as she allegedly carried out the act on the minor.

Police, accompanied by the Sub-County Children Officer, responded to the scene after receiving the alert and found the suspect had already been restrained by members of the public.

"Police officers, accompanied by the Sub-County Children Officer, swiftly responded to the scene and confirmed the incident. The suspect, who had been restrained by members of the public, was handed over to the police," the statement read.

The 8-year-old girl was found traumatised after she had already undergone the mutilation, prompting officers and child protection officials to arrange for her to receive urgent medical care.

"The traumatised minor, who had already undergone the mutilation, was immediately rescued and rushed to Dandora Phase 3 Health Centre, where she received medical attention and was later discharged in stable condition," the statement added.

After her discharge from the health facility, the minor was placed in a safe home to facilitate her recovery and ensure her continued protection.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue, with the authorities preparing to take her to court over the alleged offences.

"The suspect is being held at Dandora Police Station and is set to face charges of performing FGM contrary to Section 19(1) of the Prohibition of FGM Act, 2011, and cruelty to a child contrary to Section 14 of the Children Act, among other charges," the statement concluded.

This comes a month after police officers arrested a 47-year-old father following the death of his 9-year-old daughter.

In a statement on Monday, September 7, the DCI said the suspect, identified as Norman Swahili, allegedly assaulted and sexually abused his daughter before she passed away.  

According to the DCI, officers from Kibera Police Station received a distress call reporting that the suspect had allegedly seriously assaulted his daughter.

"A 47-year-old father is in police custody after allegedly defiling and brutally assaulting his nine-year-old daughter, who later succumbed to her injuries in Kibra, Nairobi.

"The shocking incident occurred on September 6, 2026, after police officers at Kibra Police Station received a distress call reporting that the suspect, identified as Norman Swahili, had seriously assaulted his daughter," the statement in part.

The officers, accompanied by members of the community policing team, rushed to the reported scene.

However, upon arrival, they were informed that Swahili had already taken his daughter to Mbagathi Hospital to seek medical attention.

The police officers proceeded to the hospital, where they were informed that the girl had been pronounced dead on arrival.

"The officers proceeded to the hospital, only to receive the devastating news that the nine-year-old girl had been pronounced dead on arrival," the statement added.

Preliminary examination revealed multiple bruises and swellings across the child’s body, as well as a freshly lost upper incisor tooth. 

Further examination also indicated that the 9-year-old child had been sexually assaulted. The child’s body was moved to Nairobi Funeral Home.