This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
Published on August 24, 2020, a tragic incident occurred in Lundi village, Mwingi East, Kitui County, where two young boys, aged five and seven, died after undergoing traditional circumcision.
The boys were circumcised by a 70-year-old woman, an experienced traditional circumciser, who is revered among members of the Kavonokya sect. The sect is notorious for disregarding conventional medicine and has been linked to several deaths due to untreated illnesses.
The boys' father, Mutua Kithuka, a staunch Kavonokya adherent, revealed that they did not seek medical help, citing their faith as the reason. He stated, 'It is true we did not take them to hospital because I am saved and according to the scriptures, we are not allowed to go to hospital. If one falls sick, you invite the church elders to pray and the sick is healed by faith. God gives and God takes away, it is His will.'
After the circumcision, the boys developed excessive bleeding and were taken to a secret house where sect members prayed and performed rituals. Despite their condition deteriorating, the parents continued to pray and ignored medical help. The boys eventually died, one after the other, with the younger one passing away at 6pm and the older one at 10pm.
The Mwingi East police boss, Joseph Yakan, confirmed that Kithuka was arrested, along with the traditional circumciser, and are being held at Ukasi Police Station. They will be arraigned today. The Mui chief, Paul Musyimi, warned the sect members not to circumcise their sons at home, stating that stern action will be taken against those who go against this directive.
