Last week’s death of a 15-year-old boy at Gatitu village in Murang’a County at an initiation ceremony has become the talk of the town.
Juliano Kanyonyos death, a result of torture and beatings meant to harden him up after a circumcision, led to a myriad of debates online.
Despite the oath of secrecy that most young men take before undergoing traditional circumcision, many have come out to expose the painful experiences they were subjected to in the name of ‘hardening them up into manhood’.
Even as his family seeks justice, a post-mortem report reveals that the late Kanyonyo died of beatings. It is strongly believed he died after he was beaten by those under whose custody he was.
Across the county, most young men undergo traditional circumcision where they take an oath not to reveal whatever happens there.
According to Crazy Monday investigations, Kanyon’s case is just one of the many deaths that happen in such circumstances. The only difference is that this was reported.
For a certain James, during his time, one of the initiates couldn’t cope and fell ill. This, however, did not exempt him from the torture. At some point, he vomited and was forced to eat the vomit.
A few years back, concerns were raised after it emerged that some of the activities were bordering on the extreme. This was after it emerged that some initiates were being subtly introduced to vices such as crime.
The Mungiki sect, for instance, is reported to have emerged from an initiation ceremony, where initiates were subjected to taking fresh animal blood and oaths.
Before some knew what was going on, they found themselves in the sect, complete with an oath that could lead to their murder were they to abandon the group.
In other parts of the country, initiates are forcefully introduced to alcohol, cigarettes and bhang, their religious background notwithstanding.
“During our time, we were forced to take local brew. Fact that one doesn’t partake of the drink didn’t matter. It was mandatory,” says a certain Issac.
In other cases, the young men are urged to have their first sexual encounter, once they are done with the ceremony.
Murang’a county Kikuyu elders have distanced themselves from the fatal incident describing it anti-traditional.
Led by Kiarie Rugami, the elders in their meeting at Kiambuthia village in Mathioya, regretted the incident calling for the arrest of those who were involved in the killing of the 15-year-old.
But one would wonder why the traditional circumcision is preferred by many? Well, in many rural outposts, a man who has undergone circumcision the traditional way is more respected than those who underwent the all-important cut in hospital.
“In Meru, there is a lot of respect attached to the young men who undergo the cut the traditional way. There is a derogatory term known as kiroge, or the cursed, which we give to those who seek the services at the hospital,” said Steve Mugambi, who was cut at the river in the wee hours of December 2, 1999.
In deed, those circumcised the traditional way among the Chuka quietly enjoy that they faced the circumcisers like men, and were given right of way along the village paths.
It was not unusual to see women, the uncircumcised and those who did it at the hospital, step aside to let those who did in the traditional way pass!
Sociologist Simon Mitambo says the rite of passage starts from the actual circumcision and is meant to make boys resilient, as men should be.
“The seemingly harsh treatment of initiates is actually helpful as it helps mold young men as they are taught that sometimes life is difficult and it is up to one to learn how to face the hardships,” he says.
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