EAST AFRICAN CULTURAL TREND?

According to the East African Standard, two incidents have occurred within the past few months where Kenyan men have cut off their genitals due to a conflict with their spouses. One occurrence was in May 2003.

A Kenyan father of nine has cut off his genitals with a knife following a row with his wife.

Ochola Adebe, from Kajulu West, in Kisumu District is said to have chopped off his penis and testicles to spite the woman.

Another occurrence happened this past week.

A Kenyan villager has cut off his penis and testicles with a kitchen knife "to teach his wife a lesson."

Police say Alfonse Mumbo, of Kajulu Wath Orego, near Kisumu, severed his genitalia after accusing his wife, Penina of unfaithfulness.

Officers say the 38-year-old former barber said he wanted "to give her a free hand to go after other men." He told police he loved her so much, he could make the sacrifice.

Doctors were able to stop the massive bleeding from the mutilations and each man survived. It remains to be seen if there will be future incidents.

Personally, I can't fathom what was going through these guys' minds. Somehow, I don't think the phrase "for better or for worse" in the marriage vows was meant to include do-it-yourself surgical removal of the genitals.