The Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation has officially launched voluntary male circumcision as part of its comprehensive national HIV prevention strategy.

300 Million has been set aside to facilitate the programme over the next two years.
Six districts in Nyanza province have been earmarked to kick start the Programme before it is rolled out to other parts of the country.

Years of simultaneous studies carried out in Uganda, South Africa and Kisumu in Kenya proved male circumcision reduces HIV infection in men by 60%.
The findings are endorsed by the World Health Organization.

The 2007 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey results indicated that HIV infection among uncircumcised men is more than three times higher than among circumcised men. The survey shows that over 80% of Kenyan men age 15-64 in all provinces except Nyanza (49%) are circumcised.
KAIS consistently shows higher HIV prevalence in uncircumcised men across all age groups.

The ministry is quick to caution against the notion that male circumcision is the answer to the rapid spread of HIV.
While male circumcision reduces the risk of acquiring HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections, it is not 100% effective and should not be viewed as a substitute for other HIV and STI prevention methods such as abstinence, limiting sex to one uninfected partner and consistent and correct condom use.