The Kikuyu Council of Elders has decided to postpone the 2024 initiation for boys until next year, aligning the ritual with their transition from Junior Secondary School (JSS) to Senior Secondary School.
During a gathering in Naivasha under the ‘Kiama Kia Maa,’ the elders explained that circumcising Grade 8 boys this year would be inappropriate, as they would still return to primary school in Grade 9. Traditionally, the community has conducted circumcision ceremonies for boys moving from primary to secondary school. However, this year, the process has been altered due to the introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system.
The elders also requested that the church adjust their dates for the initiation ceremony.
Kigochi Waimeri, the Council Director of Culture, noted that the new educational system had necessitated this change in initiation dates. He emphasized that circumcision in the community symbolizes the transition from boyhood to manhood.
“Those boys who are circumcised this year will return to primary school, and their mental development will remain unchanged. Therefore, the community elders made this decision,” Kigochi said.
After thorough deliberation, the council agreed to allow the boys to complete another year of primary school before undergoing circumcision next year.
