Elgeyo Marakwet County executive committee member Michael Kibiwot expressed sorrow after five young men lost their lives, with 28 others hospitalized in various medical facilities.

Another person is now receiving treatment at the intensive care unit at the Iten Country Referral Hospital. The deaths and hospitalizations were due to circumcision-related complications.

According to Kibiwot, the environment under which the cut is performed on initiates in different parts of Elegeyo Marakawet county and neighbouring counties is not suitable for circumcision.

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The initiates are currently being treated for pneumonia and diseases resulting from blood bacteria.

“We are asking all the caregivers who are looking after initiates in seclusion to take external caution and safeguard the health and life of initiates who are going through the rite of passage.”

He also called on residents to collaborate with the health sector in the entire circumcision process.

” I have issued an advisory to all our chiefs and public health officers to work together to sensitize the families who are concerned and ensure all the initiatives receive the necessary care and urgent referral should they need it.”

On his part, The Director of Health in the county, Dr. Isaack Kipyegon, criticized residents for neglecting cleanliness in the environment where circumcision is practised.

“We are not supposed to lose any life because the procedure by itself is supposed to be safe and because of the conditions surrounding the care after the procedure has exposed the initiates to this position.”

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