Kikuyu elders have said this year's circumcision of boys will be held as scheduled, despite the change of education system.
The rites of passage will take place at the end of the year, as has been the custom, elders from the Kiama kia Ma outfit led by Kungu Muigai said.
"It has been our culture that our boys are circumcised once they finish their KCPE exams or attain the age of 14 years. We will not disrupt this norm," the national patron said.
Muigai differed with another faction that had earlier announced there would be no circumcision ceremony, since the school curriculum changed to the Competency Based curriculum (CBC) which keeps boys in Grade Eight still in primary schools.
"If we deny the boys the chance to be circumcised because they are still in primary school some will commit suicide and others will attempt to circumcise themselves which is dangerous and yet they have prepared themselves and do not want to be laughed at by their predecessors which may lead to stigmatisation," he said.
The boys will be advised on how they should conduct themselves.
"The elders will educate and instil morals and discipline to the young men who will be circumcised such as not to engage in early sex, respecting younger pupils in school, drug usage and how to conduct themselves while in primary school."
He called on the elders who are mandated to conduct the rites to prepare for the occasion and also called on parents to present their sons for the occasion.
Muigai spoke during an elders prayer meeting held in Kirigiti international stadium in Kiambu town on Thursday.
His remarks come after a statement by the group's national chairman adjusted the age of circumcision from 14 to 12 years.
The statement was read by chairman Ndung’u Gaithuma in 2022.
The change was necessitated by the switch to the CBC, which will see boys transition from primary to junior secondary school at 12 years.
They said the decision was reached following wide consultation with stakeholders including religious leaders, parents and officials from the Ministry of Health.
Nonetheless, the Kiama kia Ma continue to differ with the church on the rites of passage, saying the ceremony should only be conducted by the elders and the church should stick to its religious doctrine.
