Despite political uncertanity that has engulfed Kenya following the disputed Dec 27 Presidential polls, the government has put a brave face and passed what has been viwed as one of its most controversal health policy.

A new circumcision policy for men aimed at reducing HIV infection rates has been published by the Government making it compulsory for all willing men to undergo the cut.

The policy, stipulating how all willing Kenyan men, irrespective of their age, culture or ethnic background will undergo circumcision.

The traditional circumcision methods have also been challenged in the new policy. According to leading doctors and researchers at the Kenya National Aids Control Council, only surgical procedure will be accepted as standard HIV prevention methods ruling out the possibility of doing away with traditional methods.

Traditional and proffessional health personnel are up in arms following the introduction of the policy accusing each other of insensitivity to the needs of individuals rights to practice certain traditional values.

News that the government was considering to set up a Male Circumcision Task Force have also elicited doubt on the guidline.

Although the policy which has been titled: Policy on Male Circumcision in Kenya 2008, recommends that males of all ages will face the cut in line with their cultural values, traditional experts have warned that the stigma among the uncircumcised communities will rise.

In Kenya, a number of communities do not practise circumcision, while others still invoke religious, cultural or social reasons for circumcision,

The Teso, Luo, Turkana of western Kenya have since time in memorial undertaken other rites of passage to manhood without practicing circumcision which strictly involves the removal of the foreskin of the males sexual organ.

In studies contacted last year, it was concluded that the skin’s inner mucosal surface is the breeding ground for the virus that causes HIV. This is because compared to the external surface, more of its cells are vulnerable to HIV infection.

The government has also vowed to put in place laws, regulations and supervisory mechanisms that are going to ensure that the excercise goes on smoothly and reaches it 1 million target.

Recent studies have proved that circumcised males have a lower risk of HIV infection compared to their uncircumcised counterparts.