There was Drama in Karagita village Naivasha sub-county when a contingent of police officers conducted raids on several residential homes targeting alleged witch Doctors.
The police managed to nab assorted witchcraft concoctions and species which included dead chicken, snake skins among many other items. Police also succeeded to arrest two suspects found in possession of the items.
The raid follows complaints from locals that the suspects who claimed to have come from Tanzania could cure all manner of diseases including impotency and financial instability.
Last year, residents raided several homes that the witch doctors were operating from, destroying their paraphernalia. In the latest incident, one of the witch doctors told a woman that he would help her get a well-paying job.
An elder, John Wachira said the promise did not materialise forcing the woman to demand back the Sh2,000 she had given the sorcerer.
“The man became arrogant and threatened the woman that he would kill her baby using his powers,” he said. Area Chief Hassan Guyo said the crackdown targeting the suspects would continue until security agents get rid of the conmen.
With witchcraft being an illegal practice in Kenya and one wonders how this business has thrived through the years.
Two years ago, Thomas escaped from his ancestral home for fear of being lynched by the community he had lived with for all his life. Unfortunately, his family was not lucky enough to live to tell the ordeal of that unforgettable day.
According to his accusers, Thomas was a sorcerer; he had conspired to murder his neighbours using satanic powers.
The truth is that witchcraft still has a stronghold in many parts of the country especially Machakos, Kisii, Kitui and the coastal towns. In recent times, Nairobi has also experienced an increase in the number of witch doctors, with many streets papered with soothsayers’ advertisement
But according to Mzee Juma witchcraft is an inherited practice he got from his maternal grandfather.
“This is a divine calling. Not everyone can mutter the right incantation. It requires divine intervention from the spirits,” he says. “My grandfather chose me and not my father because the spirit chose me to be the next in our lineage,” he said