Mukurweini Member of Parliament John Kaguchia has argued that circumcision should be made mandatory in Kenya, with emphasis on safety during the procedure as a means to curb infections which may affect uncircumcised men.

While speaking to KTN News, Kaguchia said that circumcision should be approached not from a cultural but health perspective.

He also said that the practice should be a matter of public health concern, regardless of one's cultural position on the matter.

"Over the years, we've had many deaths by our young buys because of going through traditional circumcision that sometimes goes bad," Kaguchia argued. 

"We are looking at circumcision not from a cultural perspective but more from a health perspective. So, my proposal is we make circumcision a matter of public health concern."

Kaguchia also added that people who believe in cultural practice of circumcision should also approach it in a healthy manner, preferably by a medical practitioner. He urged those who did not view the practice culturally should start considering it as a public health requirement.

"If you culturally believe in circumcision, then you must do it in a healthy manner done by a medical practitioner. We've seen many young boys die through that," he said.

"If you don't practise circumcision as a matter of not believing in it as a culture, then you do it in a hospital as a public health requirement."

While pointing out the benefits of universal and mandatory circumcision, Kaguchia said that boys who were not circumcised were more prone to sexual infections than their circumcised counterparts.

"Boys who are not circumcised are more prone to infections, particularly HIV infections... I brought this (idea) because we had a lot of deaths last year." 

In conclusion, the legislator acknowledged the topic's national sensitivity, noting that leaders from both ends of the practice intentionally avoid tackling the topic due to fear of political reprisals.

He said, "Members of Parliament who come from areas where circumcision is done culturally, do not want to talk about this because of political reprisals."

"Members who also come from areas where circumcision is not practised, when they say it needs to be done, they also suffer political reprisals, yet these are young men of this country who needs to have someone to talk for (them)."