Miguna supports Raila's stand on circumcision

By Peter Ochieng

Finally, lawyer Joshua Miguna Miguna and Azimio leader Raila Odinga, have something to agree on.

And it is about circumcision.

Addressing residents of Teso North, Busia County on Monday, Odinga took a swipe at communities that take circumscision as a matter of life and death.

He said only a fool can take circumscion seriously, insisting that contrary to the notion held by some people, one does not need to be circumcised in order to become a great leader.

“Circumcision is only a Kenyan Bantu thing. It was a trivial matter that came from religion. It was introduced in Kenya to the Bantus through religion. Bantus in DRC do not circumcise, as in Cameroon and South Africa. Anyone that takes circumcision seriously is a fool,” said Odinga.

He added that the major reason why Teso are pushing to have their own county, is forceful circumcision being 'visited on them by the Bukusu' in Bungoma County.

“The Teso said that they don’t want to be in Bungoma county because when the Bukusu are doing the circumcision, they forcefully circumcise the older men from the Teso community."

Raila however called out communities that still practice Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), stating that the act is primitive and stupid. Odinga's stand on circumscion was backed by Miguna, one of his major critics.

"On this I agree," stated the controversial lawyer.

Last month, Miguna Miguna voiced his reservations against plans for the introduction of a draft bill that seeks to make male circumcision mandatory, to help reduce sexually transmitted infections including HIV/Aids.

The Bill was drafted by Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia, who wanted the government to provide the service free of charge at all public health facilities, under the supervision of medical professionals to guarantee safety.

Miguna dismissed the Bill, adding that it only seeks to impose the cultural practices of one community on others.

"You can’t impose a cultural practice of some ethnic groups over others. MPs should focus on legislation that addresses the needs of all Kenyans. Not ethnic chauvinistic ones such as this. If they pass it, the Courts will and must strike it down."

Some communities in Kenya practise male circumcision as an important rite of passage for boys into adulthood, while other communities do not practise it.