This archive report was first published on 21 August 2021.
On August 21, 2021, a dramatic scene unfolded at Gatundu Hospital mortuary when it was discovered that a 70-year-old man had not undergone circumcision, a crucial rite of passage for elders.
The revelation was made by mortuary attendants, forcing the elders who had gathered to collect the body to first perform the circumcision before proceeding with the burial.
The elders, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their surprise and confusion over the situation, questioning how the deceased could have missed this important rite at a younger age.
"We could not bury him like that as it is against our practice," one of the elders stated.
The deceased had also completed all the necessary stages to be accepted into the council of elders, including bringing two goats as a symbol of his commitment.
However, the elders were left stunned by the discovery, and they vowed to perform a cleansing ritual after the burial to restore balance and respect for the community's traditions.
Furthermore, the elders announced plans to scrutinize potential new members of the council to prevent similar incidents in the future.
