2,000 Bukusu boys to be circumcised

More than 2,000 Bukusu boys will be circumcised this month. Despite the practice facing harsh criticism from health experts, the tradition seems to be deep-rooted in the community. Speaking to the Star yesterday, Bungoma cultural officer Florance Nabwala said it is impossible to eradicate the practice among the community members despite the health risks involved.

“This is a practice the community has found pride in for centuries and the idea that they go for alternative ways is always received with a lot of hostility,” she said. However, she said her department has trained traditional circumcisers on how to sterilise their knives and advised them to use one knife per initiate. “We have made it a policy of 'one knife, one boy' to avert the contraction of deadly diseases like HIV/Aids,”she said.