A Historical investigation into the changes in male circumcision among the Ameru of Imenti South Sub-County, Kenya (1950 and 2016)

The study aimed to document the changes from traditional to modern methods in the male rite of circumcision in the said community. Male circumcision as a rite of initiation has been a subject of discussion, but the truth about the practice among the Ameru had not been adequately revealed. Researchers have often presented the topic of circumcision among the Ameru as difficult to penetrate because of the secrecy of the rite. This study investigated the changes that have taken place in the rite of circumcision among the Ameru of South Imenti Sub-County, in Meru County, Kenya. The period taken was from 1950 to 2016. The research employed the Descriptive Survey Design. The target population was 61,091 adult men from Imenti South Sub County, and the sample size comprised 50 randomly selected respondents. Research instruments used were mainly interview schedules, Focus Group Discussions and observation, and data was collected from oral, secondary and archival sources. The findings were that between 1950 and 2016, there were changes in male circumcision rite in Imenti South, Sub-County. These changes could thus be traced from the time of colonialism, which started in this community in the 1950s. The changes were meant to Christianise the operations as colonisation and evangelisation went hand in hand. The study recommends that since changes are inevitable, there is a need for the blending of traditional and modern aspects of the male rite of circumcision.