12-year-old schoolboys to be circumcised after Kikuyu elders lower initiation age
The grade six boys under the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) will now be circumcised after the National Kikuyu Cultural Association, Kiama Kia Ma, lowered the age for the rite of passage from 14 years to 12 years.
The elders drawn from the 12 counties of Nyandarua, Nakuru, Nyeri, Nairobi, Murang’a, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kajiado, Kiambu, Laikipia, Lamu and Mombasa spoke at the Regional Police Training College in Ruring’u during a capacity building workshop for mentorship of youth initiates.
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“The elders have advised that the desirable age for the rite of passage is 12 years down from 14 years. They have deliberated on the amendment to the curriculum for counseling to reflect the younger ages and include review mentorship during subsequent school holidays,” said Eng Patrick Muiru, the Secretary General, Kiama Kia Ma.
Their decision follows public participation that lasted for months. During the process, the elders gathered information from various stakeholders including religious leaders, Ministry of Education, the public health sector and parents.
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The elders also resolved the debate as to whether or not standard seven boys under the 8-4-4 system will undergo the rite of passage in December this year.
The elders stated that with the resolution, individual parents with children between the ages of 12-14 years will be expected to make a decision as to the most suitable time for their sons to undergo the rite of passage.
Before the outbreak of Covid-19, which disrupted the academic calendar, circumcision of young Kikuyu boys used to take place in December after KCPE examination.
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