Lawyer Miguna Miguna has supported Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga’s sentiments on circumcision.
This is after Raila Odinga who was speaking in Busia County criticized individuals using circumcision to suppress particular communities and politicians in Kenya.
“On this, I agree with Raila,” tweeted Miguna Miguna.
Raila in an attempt to validate his remarks on the right of passage revealed that Busia and Bungoma were to be merged into one region during the devolution discussions at the Bomas of Kenya.
He explained that there were 14 regions, with Kakamega and Vihiga merged into one while Nyanza and Rift Valley had three regions each.
However, the opposition leader took a rather light swipe at the Iteso community explaining why they preferred not to be merged with Busia then.
“But the Tesos said they don’t want to be in one region with the Bukusu because when they circumcise boys, they get hold of grown-ups, and circumcise them by force.
“We told them that those talking about circumcision are fools, they think that they are so important because they are circumcised,” said Raila.
Raila Says Circumcision is a Bantu Culture
The former prime minister also emphasized that circumcision was enforced by Bantus in Kenya as Bantus in DRC, Cameroon and South Africa do not practice it.
“Shida ikawa kubwa ju ya mambo ya tohara, ati mtu mwengine wanasema wewe bado ni mtoto mdogo kwa sababu hujatahiriwa. Si hio ni upumbavu na ujinga. Nliwaambia hawa ukivuka mpaka Uganda utagundua kuna makabila mbili pekee ambazo zilikua zinatahiri,” said Raila.
This loosely translates to “The biggest problem is circumcision. Some people say that when you are not circumcised you are young. Is that not being stupid? I told them that if your cross the border to Uganda you will realize that only two tribes undergo circumcision.”
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He added that politicians who use circumcision to gauge a person’s ability to lead should be cursed.
“They say that a Teso cannot lead because they are not circumcised. Everyone has his/her right, if that is part of your culture follow it but don’t look down upon those who don’t practice it,” he explained.
The opposition leader further said that development comes when the counties are bigger as opposed to dividing them into small portions.
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Odinga Promises to Keep Busia Governor in Check
Raila thanked the residents of Busia for voting for him in the 2022 general election and promised to keep Governor Paul Otuoma in check to ensure he delivers on his manifesto.
“When I come back after six months, I will ask you if things have changed, he has promised that he will ensure that happens,” said Raila.
The ODM party is holding grassroot recruitment in counties in the Western region as part of efforts to increase their membership.
