The Maragoli community initiates in Vihiga are at risk of infections following a mix up that led to them not receiving a tetanus injection before undergoing the cut in the ongoing circumcision exercise.
Some parents have raised concerns over the possibility of their children getting infections.
The elders in the community promised parents that their kids would be given the required injection by a doctor prior to the cut at the venue, an operation that failed to materialize.
One parent, Suleiman Manyethe, has lamented over the hitch and raised fears over the safety of the initiates eliciting Central Maragoli MCA Abdalla Chogo to intervene, saying that he will pursue the matter to ensure the medics are available for the jab.
Manyethe said that the village elders had communicated to the parents of the initiates regarding the injection and were told it would be given before circumcision at the venue, given that some parents wanted it done at the hospital.
“We were told they would receive the tetanus jab at the circumcision venue and we were advised not to go to health facilities,’’ said Manyethe. ’’At the venue, there was no doctor or nurse to inject the initiates and as parents we are concerned.’’
The Maragoli Ward MCA however, has promised parents that relevant action would be taken to ensure that the initiates are given the tetanus injection after undergoing the cut.
Chogo said that the traditional ceremony is important among the Luhya community during this season’s session.
He added that Maragoli parents should consider embracing their cultural circumcision practices rather than taking their kids to the hospital.
“Maragolis should consider the cultural circumcision as a way to signify and embrace their traditions,’’ he said. “Those circumcised at the hospital will not celebrate together with those who went through it traditionally.”
The event was marked at Vihiga where over four thousands initiates are expected to undergo the cut during this August holidays and other parts of the regions inhabited by Maragolis.
This event is done after every ten years.
