Deadly gum-cutting practice claims lives of infants in Makueni
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For generations, “gum cutting,” as it is known locally, was performed under the belief that it hastened the sprouting of milk teeth and relieved symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and vomiting — ailments often wrongly attributed to teething.
However, health experts now warn that the crude procedure, which involves making incisions on infants’ gums using razor blades, thorns, bicycle spokes, or nails, exposes children to life-threatening infections, excessive bleeding, and even death.
In Kathyaka village, Regina Kimondio — once a respected gum cutter — recounts a haunting experience that forever changed her life.
“My grandchild had diarrhea and vomiting,” she recalls. “I told my daughter-in-law to bring him so I could cut his gums. Afterward, his condition worsened and he passed away. I regret it deeply — if I hadn’t done it, he might still be alive.”Kimondio says the practice was passed down through generations, once viewed as a necessary remedy for teething distress.
“When I was giving birth years ago, we believed cutting the gums helped. We used thorns or razor blades and thought once blood came out, the baby would get better,” she says.Data from Kibwezi Sub-County Hospital paints a grim picture. Between 2023 and 2024, the facility recorded 77 cases of gum cutting, five of which resulted in the deaths of infants. By July this year alone, the county had documented 37 hospital admissions linked to the practice — including three fatalities.
Dr. Dorcas Kavuli, a pediatrician at Kibwezi Sub-County Hospital, says most mothers are reluctant to admit their children have undergone the procedure, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
“When we examine the children, we find the cuts,” she explains. “They present with diarrhea, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. The risk is enormous — not just from infection, but also HIV and Hepatitis, since the same object is often used on multiple children.”At the same hospital, 22-year-old Phylis Mwikali watches over her baby, who has been hospitalized for six days after a gum-cutting incident orchestrated by her mother-in-law.
“When my baby had diarrhea and vomiting, my mother-in-law thought it was teething. She bought a surgical blade, didn’t even boil it, and cut the gums,” Mwikali recounts.Dr. Kavuli confirms that Mwikali’s child was admitted in critical condition.
“The baby arrived with severe vomiting and breathing problems. We had to place him on oxygen for three days. His oxygen levels were dangerously low, but he’s now recovering,” she says.The Makueni County Government has vowed to end the deadly practice. Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili says the county is working closely with health officials, reformed gum cutters, and community health promoters to eradicate the tradition through education and policy reforms.
“It is deeply concerning that young mothers — some as young as 18 — are pressured by elders to allow gum cutting,” Mulili says. “This not only endangers children’s lives but also strains the county’s health resources.”She adds that the county is drafting legislation to outlaw gum cutting, alongside initiatives to raise awareness about safe teething and childcare practices.
“When we assess the cost — both human and financial — it’s clear that this practice must stop,” she emphasizes.
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