A new proposal in the National Assembly aims to enforce male circumcision as a necessary procedure in the country, as long as it is performed by trained medical professionals.
The proposed legislation suggests that making male circumcision compulsory can have a substantial impact on reducing the incidence of HIV, HPV, and other sexually transmitted infections. Consequently, this measure would result in decreased healthcare costs associated with medical interventions and ongoing care. Additionally, a decrease in the prevalence of STDs would contribute to a more robust workforce, enhanced productivity, and enhanced overall societal welfare.
Introduced by Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, the Bill proposes that the prevalence of STDs in the nation can be significantly reduced through the implementation of compulsory male circumcision. Comprised of two primary elements, the Bill intends to prohibit the use of traditional circumcision instruments, favouring medically sanctioned approaches. Additionally, it strives to transform circumcision from a cultural custom into a vital public health necessity by mandating it for all boys.
Typically, circumcision practices are influenced by cultural, ethnic, and religious factors. Thus, the proposal to make it a public health requirement rather than a cultural practice is likely to encounter opposition and resistance. In a medically endorsed arrangement, the preservation of culture is upheld. The proposed Bill acknowledges the past harm inflicted upon minors during traditional circumcision rites without the presence of trained medical professionals.
By mandating their involvement, the procedure will now adhere to rigorous hygiene and care protocols. Mr Kaguchia highlights the negative consequences of sexually transmitted diseases on the well-being of the public, leading to increased healthcare expenses and loss of lives. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has conducted studies that reveal a potential decrease of 50-60 per cent in the risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual intercourse with male circumcision. According to a 2014 CDC report, data from three clinical trials substantiates the assertion that male circumcision can lower a man’s chances of acquiring HIV during heterosexual contact with HIV-infected women by 50 to 60 per cent.
Studies indicate that circumcision can mitigate the risk associated with certain HPV strains that have an association with cancer. Although no conclusive evidence has been revealed supporting the reduction of HIV transmission from men to women, it has been found that it can lessen the vulnerability of such partners to new syphilis infections by approximately 59 per cent. Moreover, circumcision has been observed to decrease the risks of penile cancer, cervical cancer in female sexual partners, and urinary tract infections in males.
The World Health Organization now endorses circumcision as a preventive measure against HIV infection, although it is crucial to acknowledge that it does not guarantee complete protection. Medical professionals believe that the removal of the foreskin, which contains specialized immune cells called Langerhans cells, contributes to the reduced risk. These cells are crucial in the immune system’s response to viruses, including HIV.
That will make Jaluos move…
That will make Jaluos move out into M7 territory! Fear of the knife ?
Baptist Puller & the useless…
Baptist Puller & the useless parliament ought to seriously discuss how to tame corruption instead of petty issues like cutting male foreskin and smegma for cannibalization by kina KabogoWanjiru,Amollo,Maina,Babu etc.They should start with steps of downsizing the bloated government as there is NO SHORTCUT of bringing down the cost of living.
Can culture and traditions…
Can culture and traditions be legislated? Sasa hata wahindi na wazungu walio Kenya itawabidi wafuate hiyo amri ama watajua mambo ni mangapi?
Stupid fool have u ever…
Stupid fool have u ever heard of condoms. Bring solutions to things that would bring the cost of living down for Kenyans n if u have nothing better to say hang out with Malaya toto so she can play with ur small balls.
Male Circumcision was…
Male Circumcision was practiced by our forefathers before any encounter with foreign systems.
Traditional Circumcision is more than just a removal of foreskin. It has a deeper meaning to a people’s way of life.
Do not try to regulate a people’s way of life. You will fail.
Instead, translate what you are calling hygiene to local languages and those items will be incorporated into culture, not the other way round.
To some cultures, male Circumcision is both cultural, spiritual and a way of life.
If you must regulate Circumcision being both spiritual and cultural, then we must regulate churches and their religious practices which are cultural and people’s way of life.
They must be removed where they are not welcome.
We must also regulate languages which are cultural and foreign ways of life.
@ Anonymous, you seem to…
@ Anonymous, you seem to apply a double standard here.I don’t see you mentioning circumcision of women as cultural”pride”,that was practiced by a people as way of life,and should be left alone.
It’s not good to just follow traditions because they were passed down on to us.Always ask- why,how,when,and who,till you are satisfied, to the best of your ability that it makes human sense.
As we garner knowledge,and new information that is better than what was passed on to us, we have to discard the old and embrace the new ways.Unless of course the old in better than the new way. For example,Luos used to knock off the front teeth.And Iam sure the tradition was proudly passed on.But it came to a point when new information told them that this was outdated,and irrelevant,and counter productive.Now dentists are busy making a killing filling those gaps.
If you are not sure how to judge what is relevant or not,the rule of thumb is to look for what the UNIVERSAL HUMAN SCALE says. The scale is called SCIENCE.And its based on what is best for mankind;at least that’s the intent.Profits not withstanding.
@ Maxiley,
There is nothing…
@ Maxiley,
There is nothing universal. It is all cultural and spiritual. About the Circumcision of women, it is no longer practiced among the Gikuyu’s. This law is really meant to water down the cultural and spiritual Circumcision rite of passage among the Gikuyu’s. It is a repeat of history. It worked before, but times have changed.
This time it will not work. The Gikuyu community is awake. You cannot make universal a people’s cultural rite of passage. It has a deeper meaning than just cutting skin. You will meet resistance on both sides. You will be destroying the culture of the people who don’t adhere to it, and at the same time for those that adhere to it.
We are at crossroads of change.
If you stand in front of it, you will be crashed by the wind of change, if you stand on the sidelines you will see a spectacular sight of a people following their God and fulfilling their mandate in this world.
Let us keep watching this space.
SCIENTIFIC ways are…
SCIENTIFIC ways are universal.Genuine science can be applied equally to all peoples of the world.SCIENCE can prove that female genitalia mutilation is harmful,or knocking off your front teeth is not beneficial regardless you where you come from.That’s what I meant by UNIVERSAL.
I think to cut,or not to,…
I think to cut,or not to, should be a personal choice.We should push more for better hygiene for all not just men.You are not going to be infected if you make sure that the dip-stick is clean,and same goes for the receptacle.It’s that simple.
We need aggressive emphasis on personal responsibility,and deterrent sanctions against those irresponsible.
This is not a case of me sounding or being sanctimonious.It’s just common sense.I make this disclaimer because I have been attacked on this forum for pointing our commonsense solutions that are cost effective.Actually dont cost anything,but you and society reap untold benefits.
Iam sure in no way amI threatening pharmaceutical companies or denying them to make obscene profits hand over fist.
Luo and Zulu high rates of…
Luo and Zulu high rates of HIV due to blunt “pens” among other cultural reasons. Trim it and tame the virus ??
Ironically the Zulu and the…
Ironically the Zulu and the Luo conquered several Kingdoms in the past and had among the largest expansions in History in the continent of Africa.The Zulu had Shaka Zulu Assegai,Dingiswayo and the Luo had Lwanda Magere and Owinyi lead by warriors among others.As a result the Zulu are found in Malawi, Mozambique,Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Zambia, pockets of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The Luo of Uganda(LRA rebels against Yoweri Museveni led by JOSEPH KONY and Okot Odhiambo,PRESIDENT MILTON OBOTE,PRESIDENT GEN TITO OKELLO,Airforce Commander Alfred OTTO,Army Chief of Staff Gen David Oyite Ojok,Army Commander Bazilio Olara Okello etc),the Luo of Kenya,Tanganyika,DRC Congo,Chad,Central Africa Republic,Ethiopia Gambella/Eritrea,Sudan/Lower Egypt). Zulu spread out 10-15 million today . Luo at least 20 million in 9 territories.
A spectacular show of force…
A spectacular show of force and growth. And you’re saying they were able to do all these due to them not being circumcised or what is your point?
Rates in the US have dropped…
Rates in the US have dropped by more than 50% in the last 50 years after America Medical Association offered new guidelines . California the 5th largest economy in the world and the largest in US has a rate of 23% and dropping for men . Eritrea rate 97% among the highest in the world due to cultural rites . Most Eritreans would prefer to live in California where they are free to choose the rites they want to follow . CHOICE IS WHAT’S IMPORTANT AND TOLERANCE FOR CHOICE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL BENEFITS . China rate 3% with second largest economy . Current rates among Zulu 18% . Among Luo Younger than 30 population rates at least 60% . There is no correlation between rates and behavior . HUMAN INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL HEALTH AMENITIES IMPORTANT . Corruption, Tribalism and racial prejudice bigger problems in the planet and have killed more people than HIV . 77% of the continent of Africa below 35 years of age . Few older persons due to premature deaths . Poor governance occasioned by Tribalism and corruption particularly in Nigeria,Kenya,Uganda,Ghana etc . Conflicts in Rwanda,Uganda,Kenya etc due to Tribal chauvinism by elected presidents and not HIV . NBA MAGIC JOHSON has lived with HIV for more than 30 years .
The Zulu king stopped…
The Zulu king stopped trimming as he was losing eligible warriors waiting for healing while war is heating up. Luo and Zulu have deep weird cultural beliefs that promote reckless sexual behavior. Some don’t believe HIV AIDS exist. They have a choice to behave or trim or both. The war within is the most crucial one to win ie self discipline, self control
There are at least 10-15…
There are at least 10-15 million Zulu in the planet and at least 20 million Luo in the planet with varied behaviors . Racism and Tribalism is prejudice against groups of people without specific information about each individual member of the group . Racism, tribalism and prejudice has led to extreme human behavior like slavery ,colonialism, discrimination and genocide against groups . The Chinese, British and Indians have extremely low levels of participation in the rites practiced by the groups in Somalia and Kenya but have higher standards of living and health outcomes .
They should be banning it,…
They should be banning it, not talking about making it mandatory.
In Europe, almost no-one is circumcised unless their parents are Jewish or Muslim, but they have lower rates of all the things that circumcision is supposed to prevent than countries which *do* circumcise.
Three national medical organizations (Iceland, Sweden and Germany) have called for elective infant male circumcision to be *banned*, and two others (Denmark and the Netherlands) have said they’d support a ban if they didn’t think it would drive the practice underground.
“Routine” circumcision *is* banned in public hospitals in Australia (almost all the men responsible for this policy will be circumcised themselves, as the male circumcision rate in Australia in 1950 was about 90%).
If it weren’t a religious thing, elective circumcision of boys would have been banned in lots of countries decades ago, same as it was for girls.
What about those who refuse…
What about those who refuse to be circumcised, thereby breaking your nonsensical law, what are you going to do?. Will you Circumcise them by force? What should a good citizen do when they find somebody breaking the law: like going around not circumcised? Shouldn’t wananchi help by circumcising the law breaker whenever they catch them,thereby helping the government?. Your circumcision law is useless, and will create fights and confusion among the wananchi rather than help them.
@ Mwororo, this just shows…
@ Mwororo, this just shows you that the fellow who proposed the bill did not think it through. He just wanted to sound like he is doing something to justify his salary,and representation to his constituency.
Are all males going to be subjected to” skin-test”- meaning Will circumcised men carry IDs?. How about uncircumcised foreigners who flock to Kenya to enjoy young girls without protection,but with hefty bank accounts.Or for that matter’ naijas ‘who over stay their visit,and are uncircumsized…the questions are endless.Heck some foreigners bring strange diseases …are you going to check their ‘skin status’?
Why don’t you just make it a crime to have an STD?; and dole out punishment proportional to the potential,or actual”destructive effect” on society,or family…
The people of Kenya can’t be…
The people of Kenya can’t be this stupid? I’ve lived with my intact penis (foreskin intact) penis all my life and never been at risk of HIV or STD’s. Behavioral modifications is what prevents STD’s, not cutting off the prepuce. Also, have Kenyans ever heard of Madagascar and the United States of America? Both nations have high rates of circumcision and both nations have the HIGHEST RATES OF STDS IN THE WORLD! Many nations that do not practice circumcision, have very low rates of HIV and penile cancer and it all has to do with their lifestyle and hygiene practices. The foreskin doesn’t cause HIV. The foreskin doesn’t cause HPV. The foreskin doesn’t cause STDs. Your behavior causes STDS. Monogamous men who are married to ONE WOMAN, will never have to worry about HIV, STDS, and HPV, as long as they don’t cheat. Circumcision being forced on all Kenyans is messed up, since the foreskin is not the issue, behavior is. Also, what happened to “my body, my choice?” Do men not get a say on their own bodies? Also, why are you trying to escape the consequences of your poor actions? If you sleep around with multiple people, you get diseases. Circumcision won’t protect you against STD’s. If you fear STD’s, then start being monogamous.
I think this is an attempt…
I think this is an attempt to stir a huge public debate to distract from the current economic woes Kenyans are going through. The only way such a bill would gain traction is if it is an American agenda which would mean it would be tied to aid if Kenya does not toe the line.
Don’t law makers have…
Don’t law makers have something better to do?
Let us have a debate of what our official languages should be.
Languages are both spiritual and cultural.
Language rights are human rights.
This is a motion worth bringing in to parliament.
What language is used in the courts of law in Kenya?
Do those who are being tried understand the law being used and what it says?
What human rights are Violated by using a foreigners language in our courts.
This should be the biggest question 60 years after independence not Circumcision.
How does Circumcision improve our economic or financial position in the country?
MP X Kaguchia should be…
MP X Kaguchia should be focusing on wiping out corruption, arrogance, inefficiency and nepotism from all the elected, appointed, and nominated servants of the people beginning from the street sweeper to Ndugu Samoei Cherop Ruto.
Ndugu Kaguchia, stop riding the SGR train from Mombasa to Nairobi because it was built by the uncircumcised Chinese people. Stop driving Japanese vehicles because they were manufactured by the uncircumcised Japanese people. Stop driving all German vehicles because they are also not circumcised. Stop using Russian fertilizers in your land because they are also not circumcised.
All the sexually transmitted diseases can be eliminated overnight by people engaging in all sexual activities practicing ” sexual fidelity” in all sexual relationships and discouraging promiscuity and polygamous relationships.
You can acquire sexually transmitted disease even after being circumcised. Ndugu X Kaguchia, please focus on improving the lives of the many poor Kenyans who are daily sleeping hungry and stop deflecting the failures of the corrupt and inefficient UDA political joint by talking about useless topics in our parliament.
All males from my micronation are circumcised. In the past, we used to circumcise females but now, the ritual has been discontinued.
‘MP lazy-boy’ is trying to…
‘MP lazy-boy’ is trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. @ Ndugu Imara Daima,you put it succinctly when you wrote:
,”You can acquire sexually transmitted disease even after being circumcised. Ndugu X Kaguchia, please focus on improving the lives of the many poor Kenyans who are daily sleeping hungry and stop deflecting the failures of the corrupt and inefficient UDA political joint by talking about useless topics in our parliament.”
Asante sana Ndugu yangu @…
Asante sana Ndugu yangu @ Maxiley. Wazaliwa wa Kiswahili katika Kisiwa cha Unguja (Zanzibar) husema:
“Lala unono uamke Simba.”
Nonsense! Why would the…
Nonsense! Why would the government make decisions for individuals and parents! It should be left to an individual, religious, or family’s culture and values. They have failed to create jobs and curb corruption, now they want to also get into people’s kitchens and bedrooms. will they also pay for the cost? Too much government!
Less than 10% of men in EU…
Less than 10% of men in EU and less than 35% men worldwide go through it but in EU one of the lowest HIV rates in the planet at 1.6%.BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH CARE.KENYA MPS AMONG HIGHEST paid in the world in a low income society therefore misplaced priorities.