Bungoma prepares for circumcision season as traditional circumcisers receive key guidelines
By Valerian Khakayi, July 27, 2026Preparations for the 2026 Bukusu circumcision season are underway in Bungoma County, with traditional circumcisers receiving key guidelines on hygiene, discipline and professionalism ahead of the cultural rite, which officially begins in August.
The guidelines were issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, during a meeting of traditional circumcisers from Malaha in Matulo Ward, Bungoma County, led by the Bungoma County Chairperson of Traditional Circumcisers, Mzee Simino Wekesa.
Addressing the circumcisers, Mzee Wekesa said maintaining high standards is essential to safeguarding the health of initiates while preserving one of the Bukusu community’s most treasured cultural practices.
He urged all traditional circumcisers to prioritise personal hygiene before carrying out the procedure.
Mzee Wekesa explained that circumcisers should be disciplined, wear clean clothes and maintain a neat appearance whenever they visit families preparing for the initiation ceremony.
“Kitu nimeomba, watairishaji muwe wasafi. Kitu cha kwanza muwe disciplined, muoshe nguo, ukuwe smart ukienda kwa boma ya mtu ukuwe uonekane mtu msafi,” Wekesa said.
Besides hygiene, Wekesa said only recognised traditional circumcisers should be allowed to perform the cultural rite.
He revealed that registered circumcisers will receive certificates to identify them as authorised practitioners, helping parents distinguish qualified circumcisers from imposters.
“Kitu cha pili tunataka tupeane vyeti ambazo watairishaji wanaenda kutumia,” he added.
Wekesa on impostors
The county chairperson also expressed concern over individuals who conduct circumcisions without approval or proper training.
He called on chiefs, assistant chiefs and other government administrators to take firm action against anyone found carrying out the practice illegally.
“Na kuna watu wengine wanatairisha watoto kiholela holela. Nina omba administrators, chiefs na subchiefs, mkisikia mtu ameenda kutairisha na hajatoa visu, kamata huyo mtu tumpeleke kwa chief tumsimamishe asitairishe mtoto wa mtu,” Wekesa stated.
Caution to parents
Parents were also cautioned against inviting unqualified circumcisers simply because they are friends or acquaintances.
Instead, they were urged to verify that the person performing the procedure is recognised by the traditional circumcisers’ association and has undergone the required training.
“Nina omba wazazi, usiiti mtu kwako akuje atairishe mtoto kiholelela kwa sababu huyo mtu ni rafiki ya bibi yako,” he cautioned.
Wekesa further appealed to the government to establish an updated database of traditional circumcisers across Bungoma’s nine sub-counties.
According to him, some people attend seminars despite not being practising circumcisers, making it difficult for authorities and communities to identify genuine practitioners.
“Nina omba serikali yetu tukuwe na data ambayo inahesabu sub-county tisa ya watairishaji; kuna watu wengine wanakuja semina na siyo watairishaji,” he added.
The Bukusu circumcision season, celebrated every even-numbered year, is one of western Kenya’s most significant cultural traditions.
Thousands of boys undergo the rite of passage, marking their transition into adulthood through ceremonies that attract relatives, friends and visitors from across the country.