Tradition vs faith: Rift deepens over boys’ circumcision rites in Kiambu
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has urged elders to guide boys undergoing circumcision away from drugs and alcohol abuse.
Speaking on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Ruaka in Kiambaa Sub-County, Wamatangi said elders play a key role in shaping the character of young men as they transition into adulthood.
You might also like
“I encourage you to continue guiding the initiates away from alcohol and drug abuse, which have become increasingly prevalent among the youth,” he said.
The governor spoke after presenting foodstuffs to members of the Kiama Kia Ma, led by its patron Captain (Rtd) Kùngu Muigai, to support the circumcision exercise across the county. The delegation included representatives from all 12 sub-counties in Kiambu.
However, the event also exposed the growing tension between church leaders and traditional elders over who should guide boys during the rite of passage.
Kiambu County, Kiama Kia Ma chairman Elder Shamte Munyua insisted that churches should stay away from the initiation process.
“We have said it before, and we are repeating it: churches should stick to their lane, that of spreading the gospel, and leave the circumcision of boys to the elders,” he said.
The rift reflects a deeper cultural and spiritual divide between the Kiama Kia Ma and the church, with each side defending its role in mentoring young men. Elders say traditional teachings help preserve culture and discipline, while church leaders believe their faith-based guidance better prepares initiates for modern challenges.
Many families in Kiambu now find themselves torn between the two sides as they decide which path is best for their sons.
