NAIROBI, Kenya — Media personality and digital content creator Andrew Kibe has ignited a fresh debate on tradition and parenting in Kenya by publicly urging parents to abandon the long-standing custom of circumcising male children.
Speaking in a discussion with radio host Jacquey Nyaminde, popularly known as Wilbroda, Kibe argued that the practice is archaic and should be discontinued immediately, asserting that its original significance is now lost in modern society.
“I find circumcision as an outdated practice. I think we should stop circumcising our kids right now. There is no meaning behind it anymore, there is no reason, and it has been debunked, and it has no benefits,” Kibe stated during the conversation.
Kibe further criticized the historical justifications used to promote the ritual, claiming they were misleading or untrue. He argued that what was once touted as a cultural or health necessity is now obsolete:
“Unajua zamani walikuja wakatudanganya unajua ku circumcise inasaidia hiyo ni uwongo, it was a lie,” he said.
The influence of modern society
The former radio host also claimed that the continuation of the practice is largely driven by evolving societal norms and commercial pressures, particularly targeting single mothers.
“There is no reason to circumcise your boys, but society is adjusting to the single woman, the single mother; society is now selling products, and circumcision is one of the products,” Kibe stated.
Kibe revealed his personal stance against the ritual, emphasizing the emotional difficulty for a father to subject his child to the procedure versus the perceived ease for mothers influenced by medical assurances:
“As a man am not going to take my son to that kind of process, but as a woman, you will kwanza umeambiwa kuna international and local anaesthesia anadungwa sindano ndio asisikie uchungu,” Kibe added, sharing his decision not to circumcise his own son.
Clash of traditional and spiritual mentorship
Kibe’s remarks inject a new perspective into Kenya’s complex balancing act between modernity, children’s rights, and deep-seated cultural traditions.
The public discourse is further complicated by an ongoing rift between traditional guardians and religious institutions over the control of initiation rites.
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On Thursday, November 13, 2025, Elder Shamte Munyua, the chairman of the Kiama Kia Ma in Kiambu County, strongly reiterated the traditionalists’ position on the matter:
“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,” the Elder insisted.
This conflict highlights a significant cultural and spiritual divide, where traditional elders defend their role in preserving cultural discipline and mentorship through the ancient rites, while church leaders advocate for faith-based guidance to prepare young men for contemporary challenges.
