Kenyan men flee to avoid forced circumcisions, as boy,13 had penis chopped off

The circumcision season among Kenya's Bukusu ethnic group brings a
festive atmosphere: music, food and free-flowing beer. For the
uncircumcised men from other tribes in the area, however, it is not
time to party, it's time to flee, Associated Press reports.

At least 12 men from other tribes have been forcibly circumcised since
the start of the circumcisions in August, according to police and
local authorities. Others have sought refuge in police stations to
avoid the knife's cut.

The Bukusu ethnic group prefers traditional circumcisions using simple
tools and no anesthesia. But tradition can be disastrous. A
13-year-old boy lost his penis this month after it was chopped off by
a circumciser, according to local press reports quoting his parents.

Adult male members of the Turkana community living in the
Bukusu-dominated town of Moi's Bridge are the majority of the victims
of the forced circumcisions, according to local administrator Moses
Okumu. A group of Turkana men wielding swords, bows and clubs held
protests last week over the spate of forced procedures.

Michael Ngilimo said a family member was forcibly cut by a group
moving house to house in search of uncircumcised men.

"They pounced on my uncle and circumcised him and left him there
bleeding without treatment. I spent a sleepless nights as my uncle was
bleeding," he said. "I woke up very early to go and look for
medicine."

To avoid becoming victims, many other Turkana men in the area sleep in
the corn fields and others seek refuge in the police station, he said.
The Turkana will fight back if the trend continues, Mkai warned.

"All of us should respect each other's customs. If you force someone
to adopt your custom it may harm him," he said. "We are known, we
fight with the (rival tribe) Pokot. We fight every day. We have
killed. We are not afraid of death."

No one has been arrested for the involuntary circumcisions, said
Okumu, the local government official. He warned that those who
continue with the practice will be charged.

Traditionally the Turkana, a Nilotic tribe whose cultural practices
and way of life has not been diluted by modern influences, do not
engage in circumcision as a rite of passage into adulthood. But
members of the Bukusu community say since the Turkana are living among
them they should adopt their most celebrated custom.