Last week, the introduction of a Bill in Parliament by Mukurweini Member of Parliament John Kaguchia, proposing free and mandatory male circumcision for all males up to the age of 18, prompted a wave of humorous responses from Kenyans.

In his presentation, Kaguchia argued that making male circumcision mandatory would substantially reduce the incidence of HIV, HPV, and other sexually transmitted diseases. This, in turn, could lead to a decrease in healthcare costs associated with treatment and long-term management.

“Moreover, a decline in STD prevalence contributes to a healthier workforce, improved productivity, and enhanced societal well-being,” added Mr. Kaguchia.

The proposed free, mandatory circumcision would be supervised by trained medical officers, aiming to phase out traditional cutters, who have been linked to an increasing number of young males dying from poorly performed circumcisions.

Citing a 2014 report from the Center for Disease Control, Kaguchia emphasized that male circumcision can significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other infections. However, despite the health benefits, some Kenyans responded to the proposals with humor and skepticism.

A sample of reactions included:

• “Some things are so petty for the Parliament, wachieni wazee wa kijiji hio kazi (let the elders in the village handle that work),” remarked Taylor Pablo.
• “So you will be walking around looking for the uncut?” opined Vincent Jobando.
• “How does it improve the economy,” questioned Gabriel Otieno.
• “Damn! At the rate things are going, it will soon be mandatory to have s*x,” joked Julio Baramu.

Many expressed doubt about the likelihood of the Bill passing, citing challenges in enforcement and concerns about infringing on individuals' rights to freedom of choice and autonomy.