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’s controversial call to end the practice. Owiyo’s 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.
Kaluma, in a post on X on March 3, argued that circumcision is an outdated tradition, likening it to female genital mutilation (FGM) and questioning its necessity with a provocative analogy:
Donkeys don’t circumcise. No animals do, except for a few humans who have been misled into believing they are descendants of Abraham.
His remarks triggered a wave of responses across Kenya, a country where circumcision is deeply embedded in many communities’ rites of passage.
Enter Suzanna Owiyo, whose response today added a fresh layer to the conversation. In her video, the 49-year-old artist, often dubbed the “Tracy Chapman of Africa,” took a pragmatic yet bold stance:
Women are best suited to determine whether circumcision matters or not.
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—women. While she didn’t explicitly endorse or oppose circumcision, her statement challenges the male-dominated discourse and invites a broader perspective.
Owiyo’s 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—both literal and figurative—to advocate for change. Yet, this latest comment has divided her audience.
” Shimo ni Shimo”- Suzanna Owiyo addresses the Male Circumcision Saga! pic.twitter.com/f2apJSlEfl
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) March 5, 2025
The timing of Owiyo’s statement, on March 5, 2025, comes amid a busy period for the artist. Just days ago, on March 1, she shared heartwarming photos with her look-alike daughter, Nadia, celebrating their bond and showcasing a softer side of her public persona. Today’s pivot to a contentious issue highlights her versatility—balancing personal milestones with provocative commentary. Her ability to command attention was further evidenced by her performance history, from the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Concert to Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebration, cementing her status as a global voice from Kenya.
