The circumcision of thousands of boys from the Luhya’s Tachoni and Bukusu subtribes started yesterday and will last one month.
It is carried out at homes by traditional circumcisers on boys aged 10-18. Speaking in his office last Friday, Bungoma director of culture Augustine Mayabi said the county’s Health department has partnered with the circumcisers to ensure they conduct the exercise safely and comply with all hygiene requirements.
He said organisations, including the Aphia Plus and the Kanduyi Whatsapp Group, have trained the circumcisers.
“We have given them enough guidelines. Elders have told them to be keen and sober, and ensure they sterilise knives to prevent spread of infections. We expect everything to be fine,” he said.
The director said they have insisted on a one-boy-one-knife policy to prevent HIV transmission. He said in the past, there have been cases of knives sliding and injuring boys, hence the need for alertness.
Mayabi urged parents and circumcisers to ensure they teach participating children good morals and guide them through the rite of passage.
“We want our children to face the cut in the traditional way and enjoy many lessons that accompany it, on how they should behave as grownups,” he said.
He urged parents who do not prefer traditional ceremonies to take their children to hospitals.
Mayabi urged urban children to visit their rural homes to have a taste of the Bukusu culture, usually observed during “the cut period”.
Last week, during a workshop at Sangalo Cultural Centre, Bungoma circumcisers chairman Sinino Omukolongolo said elders had performed all “requisite rituals and sharpened their knives”.
He urged his colleagues to ensure they get parents’ approval before a child is circumcised.
