Act now to end needless deaths of boys after circumcision

Abakobero sub clan in Lurambi young initiates who were circumcised during term two August holidays were captured in Kakamega town after healing. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

It is disheartening that six boys lost their lives in Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties while 28 others were hospitalised following complications arising from circumcision. According to reports, the victims were undergoing healing after going through the rite of passage when they fell ill from what is was suspected to be infection of the wounds. Other are said to have been tortured by their minders.

This case lifted the lid on the rising cases of circumcision gone sour in the country. Early this month, another newly circumcised 15-year-old boy was hospitalised in Naivasha after he went through three days of sadistic torture with hot wires and water by fellow teenagers in what was described as 'initiation ceremony' to harden him.