It is circumcision time in Bukusu land in western Kenya

Some of the Knives (Lukembe) used by traditional Bukusu circumcisors in Bungoma. The initiation ceremony will begin on August 1 and 3,000 boys are expected to be cut during a one month ceremony. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/ STANDARD)

Circumcision is a rite of passage among the Bukusu boys which is performed every even year. It is one of the most closely guarded secret rituals among the Bukusu people of Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia Counties.

The rite is performed by a professionally trained circumciser, known as Omukhebi, who uses a sharp sterilised knife known as Lukembe.

Johnstone Wepukhulu, 68, from Mayanja Kibuke village, a traditional circumciser, says he learned the trade from his late father Daniel Nyongesa who was a powerful and a renowned Omukhebi starting from the early 60s to early 2000s.

“This is something you learn mainly through observation but are also taught how to hold the foreskin while the other circumciser cuts. It takes seconds to do this. Any circumciser who has a daughter as a first born is not allowed to cut - it is taboo in our community, he can only hold,” Wepukhulu says.

It is one of the most closely guarded secret rituals among the Bukusu people of Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia Counties. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/ STANDARD)

2016 is a circumcision year in Bungoma County and some 3,000 boys, between the ages of 10-15, have been lined up for circumcision from August 1.

According to the county’s culture ministry, some 2,000 boys are expected to undergo the cut traditionally while another 1,000 will be circumcised in health facilities.

Director of Gender Youth and Culture Augustine Mayabi said safety training for all traditional circumcisers is complete.

This is so as to protect the boys from contracting HIV/AIDS.

“We have trained more than 40 circumcision officials from every sub-county and we expect over 500 circumcisers to be trained,” Mayabi said.