A petitioner seeking to legalise Female Genital Mutilation has requested the court to gag the public from discussing the matter.
Speaking on Monday, Dr Tatu Kamau told Machakos court where she filed her case that such dialogues by the public will likely result in prejudice of the case.
"My petition is about whether we should consider consent for adults in the female circumcision matter," Dr Kamau stated.
In the case before Justice David Kemei, Dr Kamau also wants the Anti-FGM Board, which has been spearheading the campaign against the practice, abolished.
[caption caption="Dr Tatu Kamau makes her case at a Machakos court"]
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Dr Kamau further maintained that the outlawing of female circumcision is against the culture of many African communities and should be reviewed.
"Legalising female circumcision will make it easy for those who want to undergo it to seek the best medical services, thus making the procedure safe," Dr Kamau argued.
She added: “Female circumcision is practised differently from one community to another, but it can be made safe. It is a minor surgical procedure that does not require anaesthesia or being put into a theatre.”
The court allowed nine interested parties who had applied to join the case to file their submissions within 21 days.
The parties further asked for the Chief Justice to constitute a bench to hear the case due to the wide public interest it has attracted.
[caption caption="Dr Tatu Kamau"]
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Justice David Kemei observed the need for the bench but did not make a determination on the matter.
