“Circumcision is Not a Noble Decision”
The late Ker Riaga Ogallo recalled the political struggle against VMMC
By Kennedy Owino
15 April 2019
The extent of the damage mass male circumcision was bound to cause to the people of Luo Nyanza had been foreseen many years prior to its conception, citation and implementation by the former Luo cultural leader, the late Ker Riaga Ogallo, before some politicians kickstarted the massive male circumcision campaign. In his wisdom, the late Riaga Ogallo had seen and foretold the outburst of high HIV infection rate and its rise in Nyanza following the push for male circumcision in the region against his wishes.
Riaga said that he had been at loggerheads with medical professionals, politicians and foreign health organisations over the introduction of mass male circumcision in his territory. Having known the innate nature of the lavish lifestyles of Luos, Riaga knew that youths would simply throng the circumcision clinics spread across the region to offload their foreskins, then engage in risky unprotected promiscuous sexual behaviours which have become very common with men who believe that circumcision is laced with a 60% HIV risk reduction rate.
At the time of this interview in July 2014, the events which ensued following his refusal to endorse and sign an agreement with USAID to circumcise Luos were still implanted in his memory. He recounted how USAID came to Nyanza with a large sum of money and an ultimatum to release the money only if he signs the agreement to circumcise Luos. When he obstinately refused, USAID sought refuge in the then Prime Minister of Kenya in the Coalition Government, Honourable Raila Amollo Odinga who quickly took the money, signed the agreement and looked the other way. Raila Odinga then facilitated ways to completely remove Riaga Ogallo from the helm of Luo leadership, replacing him with his own assistant Willis Otondi who was among the “YES” people Nyanza politicians like working with.
He recounted how USAID came to Nyanza with a large sum of money and an ultimatum to release the money only if he signs the agreement to circumcise Luos. When he obstinately refused, USAID sought refuge in … [former Prime Minister] Raila Odinga [who] then facilitated ways to completely remove Riaga Ogallo from the helm of Luo leadership, replacing him with his own assistant.
When we visited him at his home in July 2014, almost one year before he passed on, the wise old man narrated to us how politicians had spoilt good things in Luoland for when they realised that the Luo Council of Elders under the leadership of Riaga Ogallo was becoming more efficient and resourcefully effective in uniting Luos. They looked for ways to cause a rift among the members of the council, aimed at weakening it.
The wise old man said that circumcision is not a noble decision because it was imposed on the unwilling Luos by people who are able to intrude and endanger the lives of the Luo ethnic group. Riaga was ready and very much willing to facilitate the work Intact Kenya conceived to enlighten the people by sharing research-based information on circumcision. He promised to back us up in all our initiatives to reach the people. He was to convene a meeting in which all Luo elders were to meet with the Intact Kenya crew to discuss the matter at hand to help come up with a lasting solution and see how to forge forward. However, the meeting never materialised due to his untimely demise.
The wise old man said that circumcision is not a noble decision because it was imposed on the unwilling Luos by people who are able to intrude and endanger the lives of the Luo ethnic group.
Mass male circumcision which has now transgressed into forced circumcision of minors below the age of 18 years was imposed on the Luos for the politicians to individually gain economically from the campaign which has been proven to lack health benefits.
In his view, Raila Odinga used the endorsement of mass male genital mutilation of the Luo ethnic group as a political tool to gain his ever-elusive political mileage of this country.
Raila Odinga used the endorsement of mass male genital mutilation of the Luo ethnic group as a political tool to gain his ever-elusive political mileage of this country.
Riaga downplayed a popular belief among some circumcising Africans that uncircumcised men cannot lead, saying that the British do not circumcise yet people bow before them.
May His Soul Rest In Peace.
Kennedy Owino is the Director of Intact Kenya while Job Kajwang is the Programme Manager.
Good read. I think a lot of debate and public education need to be facilitated regarding this subject matter. A majority of the population is ignorant and unaware of the full details about VMMC Project. Instead of using manipulation tactics to promote male circumcision, such as evidenced by the increased assertion that it can prevent HIV/AIDS (for the layman person), our people need to be provided with clear, comprehensive information. This is the only way though which indivifuals in our beloved community can be able to make informed decision/choices.