Reuben Olita
3 September 2008
Kampala — DRAMA unfolded in Bungoma town, western Kenya on Saturday when five Luos were forcefully circumcised.
The Luos, Iteso and Turkana do not circumcise according to their traditions but the current wave to force them to remove their foreskin by their neighbours follows a statement by Prime Minister ,Raila Odinga, who said research had proved that circumcised men had less chances of contracting AIDS virus.
This has forced some people to flee their homes for fear of becoming the next victims.
Naked middle-aged men were paraded on the streets and marched to the nearby stream where they were smeared with mud before being led to a bus park where they were publicly circumcised.
Last week, a 46-year-old Turkana man, James Loyor, was circumcised at Bungoma Kiwanja Ndenge in a ceremony that drew over 20,000 people.
But, Loyor made it formal by securing a permit from the social service offices and security from the police.
He said he decided to 'face the knife' because he is married to a Bukhusu woman, whose tribe circumcise their men.
He said this would save him from public redicule.
Raila's suggestion has received criticisms from the Luo and Teso elders who dismissed it saying it is against their tradition.
Raila Odinga has hinted several times that he is a 'total man', probably an indication that he may have been circumcised.
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