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Kenya: Mass Circumcision in Central Kenya Called Off

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5 years ago

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Circumcision ceremonies in central Kenya have been suspended this year over Covid-19 fears with over 500,000 boys set to miss the ritual.

Elders and religious groups have announced cancellation of the monumental ceremony saying circumcising boys en masse is too risky because of the to rising cases of coronavirus infections.

The rite of passage usually takes place every year in December targeting boys transitioning to secondary school.

During the circumcision period, elders usually take hundreds of initiates into a secluded camp inside Mount Kenya Forest where they undergo medical circumcision and receive teaching in the traditional setup. On the other hand, religious groupings have also been holding parallel ceremonies.

Now, Kikuyu Council of Elders has announced that it will not be conducting the ritual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic elders have discussed and decided that this year’s circumcision be postponed to 2021. Let us be understanding,” Kikuyu Council of Elders national chair Wachira wa Kiago said.

The postponement of the ritual comes as a blow to the elders who have been making a steady comeback to take up their role in counseling the initiates in order to pass down cultural teachings from past generations.

Calling off the circumcision is also likely to dent the self-esteem of this year’s initiation candidates who were eager to transit from childhood.

Kiama Kia Ma, a cultural elders’ group which has also been conducting circumcision in Mt Kenya Forest, is also reported to be mulling over postponement of the exercise. The group’s officials however said they will be addressing the matter at a later time.