This archive report was first published on 5 January 2020.
On December 25, 2019, a 10-year-old boy from Itare village in Kisii County took drastic measures to avoid being discriminated by his peers. He circumcised himself using a kitchen knife, a decision that would have far-reaching consequences for his health.
According to reports, the boy's parents were unable to raise the Ksh. 1,000 needed for his initiation rite, leaving him with no choice but to take matters into his own hands. The boy's medical condition has since worsened, and he is now undergoing difficulty urinating.
Speaking at their home in Kisii, the Class 2 pupil explained that he was forced to circumcise himself to avoid being ostracized by his peers who had undergone the same procedure during the December holiday. His parents, however, took him back home from the Kisii County Referral Hospital after they could not afford the medical fees.
Samwel Momanyi, an activist in Kisii County, has called on the government to intervene and provide the boy with the specialized treatment he needs. The 10-year-old is set to remain at home longer as schools re-open on Monday.
