Celebrated Kenyan musician Suzanna Owiyo has once again ignited a firestorm of online discussion with her remarks on a polarizing cultural topic: male circumcision. On this Wednesday afternoon, the Afro-fusion singer, known for her soulful voice and advocacy for social issues, weighed in on an ongoing debate sparked by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma\u2019s controversial call to end the practice. Owiyo\u2019s comments, shared via a video on social media, have drawn both praise and backlash, underscoring her influence as a cultural figure unafraid to tackle sensitive subjects.
\nKaluma, in a post on X on March 3, argued that circumcision is an outdated tradition, likening it to female genital mutilation (FGM) and questioning its necessity with a provocative analogy:<\/p>\n
Donkeys don\u2019t circumcise. No animals do, except for a few humans who have been misled into believing they are descendants of Abraham.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
His remarks triggered a wave of responses across Kenya, a country where circumcision is deeply embedded in many communities\u2019 rites of passage.
\nEnter Suzanna Owiyo, whose response today added a fresh layer to the conversation. In her video, the 49-year-old artist, often dubbed the \u201cTracy Chapman of Africa,\u201d took a pragmatic yet bold stance:<\/p>\nWomen are best suited to determine whether circumcision matters or not.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Her comment shifts the narrative from tradition or religion to lived experience, suggesting that the relevance of the practice should be judged by those most intimately affected by it\u2014women. While she didn\u2019t explicitly endorse or oppose circumcision, her statement challenges the male-dominated discourse and invites a broader perspective.
\nOwiyo\u2019s remarks resonate with her history of engaging with societal issues through her platform. A UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador and founder of the Soko Bila Waste Foundation, she has long used her voice\u2014both literal and figurative\u2014to advocate for change. Yet, this latest comment has divided her audience.<\/p>\n\n” Shimo ni Shimo”- Suzanna Owiyo addresses the Male Circumcision Saga! pic.twitter.com\/f2apJSlEfl<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) March 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n