By Michelle Ndaga
A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) has sparked widespread debate after revealing that The Nairobi Hospital charges KSh 90,000 for a male circumcision procedure conducted under general anesthesia.
The post triggered a wave of online criticism, with many Kenyans questioning the steep cost and comparing it to traditional circumcision rites performed in rural areas, which typically cost only a few hundred shillings. Several users expressed concern that what was once a cultural and communal rite of passage has become a highly commercialized medical service accessible only to the wealthy.
Others, however, defended the hospital’s pricing, arguing that the modern procedure offers enhanced safety, pain management, and hygienic conditions that traditional methods may lack.
Despite these defenses, critics pointed out that other hospitals in Nairobi provide the same service at much lower prices. Facilities such as Nairobi Women’s Hospital reportedly charge between KSh 10,000 and KSh 35,000, depending on the method and level of anesthesia used.
The Nairobi Hospital has not yet issued an official statement in response to the public outcry.
