Azimio leader Raila Odinga has taken a swipe at people who take circumcision too seriously.
Raila, speaking in Teso North on Monday during a meeting with area leadership, said anyone who takes circumcision seriously is a fool.
“Circumcision is only a Kenyan Bantu thing. It was a trivial matter that came from religion. It was introduced in Kenya to the Bantus through religion. Bantus in DRC do not circumcise, as in Cameroon and South Africa. Anyone that takes circumcision seriously is a fool,” he said.
He censured communities that consider the issue of circumcision as a matter of life and death.
He said it is unfortunate that some of the communities believe that one should not be a leader if their foreskin has not been cut.
He however told off individuals practising Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) saying the move was primitive and stupid.
While revising the push for a new Constitution, Raila said one of the reasons why the Teso community wanted to be separated from Bungoma County was due to problems they underwent during the circumcision period.
“The Teso said that they don’t want to be in Bungoma County because when the Bukusu are doing the circumcision, they forcefully circumcise the older men from the Teso community,” Raila added.
Controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna endorsed remarks by Raila.
Miguna, who does not see eye-to-eye with Raila said he agrees with the Opposition chief on circumcision.
