Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal has purchased 20,000 knives to be used in a looming mass circumcision exercise that will be held across the county.
The procurement of the knives has been funded by the county government, as Lenolkulal's leadership seeks to ensure that there are no infections emanating from repeated use of blades as was the case before.
Speaking at Nyiyo area in Samburu North on Sunday, the county boss said that the county has as well bought gloves to be used in the exercise, to ensure maximum safety of both the initiates and the circumcisers.
“What we have said as a county government because of the health of these youths, we have ensured a single knife and gloves would be used to circumcise one boy to reduce the possibility of disease infections such as HIV and aids and Hepatitis which are there,” said Lenolkulal.
The merchandise was blessed by elders, in a function that was also attended by the boys set to undergo the cut, religious leaders and the traditional male circumcisers.
The county boss told parents to see to it that the boys resume school after the exercise, owing to a history where most drop out of school to become morans.
“For those boys who will be undergoing circumcision, we will ensure that they have continued with their education because we have a history that after circumcision many boys drop out of school due to moranism,” he added.
The exercise is targeting boys aged between 15 and 18.