Libutu man nabbed for ‘witchcraft and sorcery’

Residents of Libutu village in Tigania in Meru County apprehended a man, in a suspected case of witch-hunting. The villagers claimed he was a “wizard” and was responsible for the numerous challenges facing the community such as husbands abandoning their homes and spending the majority of their time in illegal drinking dens, women engaging in irresponsible behavior, schoolchildren not completing their studies, and those who do complete their studies not being able to find work.

According to the assistant chief, on Tuesday, his office received a report from members of the community and church leaders regarding some witchcraft items discovered at the home of a suspect. He said that he gave them permission to burn the items.

“The discipline displayed by the church leaders, school teachers and managers, and members of the community was admirable, and the process proceeded as planned. I’m was present to ensure people’s safety because I protect both good and bad people. The law must also be followed,” he said.

According to the assistant chief, if witchcraft was eliminated, the community would have engineers and doctors.

“Many thanks to the community members who did not take the law into their own hands,” he said.

A church leader and a member of the Njuri Ncheke said that the suspect would no longer be a member of the Njuri Ncheke and community men’s groups.

“He will never be sent to advise anyone because he was accustomed to casting spells on people before destroying their lives. I asked the members of the community and pastors to take small steps toward eradicating witchcraft in the community and It will be eliminated in God’s name,” he said.

The chief thanked the members of the community for abiding by the law and not causing a commotion.

“I could have used the full force of the law if they had violated the guidelines laid out by the assistant chief. I applaud them for their actions, which show that the community is growing,” he said.

A resident said that as a result of women in the village being bewitched, they started brewing illicit brews that destroyed the youth.

According to another church leader, when he learned that there was a suspected spell caster in the village, he gathered the members of the community and preachers.

He said that they went to his house and we destroyed all witchcraft items after seeking permission from the assistant chief.

According to a resident, the suspect used to attend community meetings and was a member of the Njuri Ncheke while casting spells on members of the community at the same time.

“It is the reason why the youth are walking up and down on roads, why the men in the village have become drunkards, and why the women in the village are engaging in irresponsible behavior,” she said.

“I believe that God has answered our prayers today and members of the community should be aware that the suspect cast spells with the aid of his accomplices. He should be asked to name them, and they may be present with us while the suspect is being apprehended,” she said.

She requested the members of the community not hide the accomplices because they knew more than the members of the community did regarding the occult.

A resident said that the members of the community declared war on witchcraft, and urged the government to ensure that all witchcraft suspects in the community were eliminated.

“I’d like to thank God because Village will now grow and is determined to do so. I thank the sub-chief for coming to the scene and ensuring that the community is safe and in good hands. Previously, in another witchcraft incident, the chief left the work he was doing and came to assist us in apprehending a suspect,” he said.

An eyewitness said: “We’ve been wondering why there aren’t enough children and men in the community. We’ve also seen women sleeping on the streets after getting drunk, and we’re left wondering why our community isn’t like other communities. Today, we give thanks to God because the suspect who cast spells on our men and women has been apprehended.”

She expressed gratitude to the group that devised the plan to apprehend the suspect accused of casting spells on women and causing them to neglect their housework.

She said that the community would be moving in the right direction and that its numerous problems would be resolved.