Initiate died, 8 people admitted to Eldoret due to complications

One initiate died and eight people were taken to Moi Training and Referral Hospital in Eldoret due to complications they experienced in the retreat temples after circumcision.

One in eight admitted patients is in intensive care due to Tetanus, while other wards have Sepsis complications due to infections.

MTRH CEO Dr Phillip Kirwa confirmed the death and hospitalisation.

“Most of the people we accept are from Uasin Gishu, but others are from neighboring districts,” Kirwa said.

It was stated that the condition of the injured people under treatment was stable.

This occurred amidst the ongoing period of circumcision for the Kalenjin community in much of the Rift Valley region.

Thousands of young people have undergone traditional slaughter and are now in isolation camps, where health officials have warned of a possible increase in infections due to poor hygiene and heavy rains in some areas where the camps are located.

Circumcision is usually performed during the December holidays when schools are closed.

Before the start of the exercise, Uasin Gishu District had organized training for elders and administrators in isolation camps to prevent such cases of infection.

Kirwa said that following similar tragedies last year, a working group consisting of districts and provincial administrations was assigned to visit isolation areas and assess existing hygiene measures, nutritional practices, surgical skills of circumcisers, waste management and other issues.

The team was also sensitive about the necessary precautions to prevent complications.

The report was shared with church leaders, local government officials and opinion leaders.

He said that according to the current trend, the intervention measures have had a significant impact, because compared with last year, there were over 40 hospitalizations and 5 deaths at the same stage during the circumcision period last year.

Uasin Gishu District Health Administrator Abraham Serem said all health officials were put on alert following reported cases of infection in the isolation camps.

The government also ordered an inspection of circumcision shrines in Uasin Gishu, where more than 3,000 young men were circumcised.

Uasin Gishu District Commissioner Eddyson Nyale also instructed the chief and elders to inspect temples in the area and ensure they are safe for initiates.

Nyale said the move was to ensure temples are safe and meet health requirements.

Nyale said traditional rites of passage are highly protected by the local community and very few people are allowed into the circumcision shrines, although chiefs and elders from the same communities are allowed access to the site.

“We are therefore directing the chiefs and elders to inspect the temples and ensure that they are clean and completely safe,” Nyale said.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii also ordered the implementation of security measures before the circumcision ceremonies for young people.