For centuries Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastal region has been the source of a rich trove of stories involving witchcraft.
It is common to hear dramatised stories of how a beautiful girl suddenly changes into a black cat in the middle of the night or how cars of prominent people turn into goats at night and eat grass for fuel.
But the North Coast, home to the Giriama, is the worst-affected by the lynching of suspected sorcerers.
Many orphaned children in the coastal region of Kilifi are as a result killing of their parents over witchcraft suspicion
Most elderly members are prime suspects and sometimes the whole family is wiped out by some community members
Orphaned children are mostly taken by children’s homes for care as no family members are willing to be associated with them.
Here, virtually everything that goes wrong – death, ailments, poverty, misfortune, failed relationships – is blamed on black magic.
Mzee Karisa Ngoa Mwaringa, a village elder in Kaguguta village, Magarini, believes witchcraft exists.
“Our people strongly believe in it. You cannot just wake up and tell them witchcraft is some sort of fancy imagination.
“It is here with us. Even the most educated – those working in Nairobi and elsewhere – believe in it. So how will it disappear overnight?” he asked.
But the killing of suspected witches is a new phenomenon, he said, shaking his head, then gazing silently into the distance, perhaps in silent reflection that, at his age, the same fate could easily befall him should one of his family members turn against him.
“A special ceremony was performed in which they were deprived of their powers,” the chief said suddenly picking up the conversation.
“This killing is a new thing. We were once revered elders; now we are hunted like dogs by our own children.”
Kilifi district commissioner Benjamin Gachichio introduced a more sinister aspect to the killings.
“We have discovered that children kill their aged parents in order to avoid supporting them.
“This region receives little rainfall and, therefore, food is hard to find. Old people are seen as a burden,” he said.
The belief in witchcraft and the attendant killings of suspected witches present a sharp contrast to the international commercial image of Malindi and Kilifi.
Both towns are better known for their enchanting beaches that attract thousands of tourists every year.
More than 100 elderly people were killed in 2014. It is estimated that 72 more elders were killed in 2017.
Police have continuously warned residents from lynching the suspects but create a peaceful environment for the elderly.
Is black magic still real in Africa?