Interior ministry to supervise circumcision of boys in 2019
What you need to know:
- Nyandarua County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich says criminals have infiltrated circumcision ceremonies and are recruiting initiates in violent gangs.
- Mr Cherutich says a government survey revealed single-parent families are most affected.
The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government will from next year supervise circumcision of boys in wake of torture and death of an initiate, a county administrator has said.
Speaking in Kipipiri, Nyandarua County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich said criminals have infiltrated the cultural rite and are recruiting young initiates into criminal gangs.
“I have gone across the county and discovered that the exercise has been infiltrated by criminals who are misleading the young boys. They wait for the boys to leave reputable circumcision centres then raid their homes to brainwash them,” said Mr Cherutich.
MENTORSHIP
Mr Cherutich said a county survey revealed that single-parent families were the worst hit.
“Parents must be very careful when appointing mentors for their boys. You don’t get a school dropout, a drunkard and a village idler to mentor your child. We will work with the church, Kikuyu Council of Elders, professionals and reputable counsellors to mentor the boys,” said the commissioner.
During the December initiation period, several boys sustained physical injuries after they were tortured by their mentors and sponsors.
Some were hospitalised after they were forced to consume poisonous substances and urine in Nyandarua County while one boy died in Muranga County.
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia said his office is sponsoring a mentorship programme for all the boys circumcised during the December holiday.
“We are holding a conference for the new initiates before joining Form One in January. We want to ensure we have a responsible future generation,” said Mr Kimemia.
A similar mentorship programme is being undertaken by Mama Kepha Foundation which has mobilised professionals from in Kirinyaga County, motivational speakers and counsellors.
