A man was allegedly beaten by elders who accused him of practising witchcraft, Njuri Ncheke elders said.
The incident took place at Kailuli village in Meru County, where the man was attacked with bamboo and wooden sticks.
“He’s been ailing for three years and refuses to go to the hospital when told to,” said the suspect’s wife.
“His leg is also in bad shape but he takes medication.
‘He once took all his clothes out of the house and handed them to me. I wondered if I was expected to wear trousers.
“When he’s in the house, I bring him food.
“He’s been mentally ill for three years, and I believe his witchcraft is caused by aging,” she said.
An elder of the Njuri Ncheke demanded that his house be opened so that they could see where the bats were kept.
“My late husband used to clean my child, who spends most of his time indoors,” said a resident.
“My child has been disabled for a year and a half, and there isn’t a hospital where I haven’t visited.
“I’m told that the illness can’t be detected every time I go to the hospital.
“I pray to God to continue enabling the elders to carry out their duties, and if the suspect continues to cast spells, he should be burned.
“He used to wait until I had taken my child to the hospital before bringing a padlock into my house.
‘He intended to cast a spell on the rest of my two children, who are fine.
“If you came to my house, you would notice that I have one disabled child and another who is constantly loitering in the village.
“The suspect looked after my two children when they were initiated into adulthood,” she said.
“Her late husband’s eyes were scorched out before he died. We do not know what caused his death,” said another resident.
“I support what the elders are doing because all the children in the community have gone insane,” she said.
“There’s a problem when you look at my face. When I go to the hospital, I’m told the illness isn’t treatable,” said another resident.
“I never seem to get well despite taking medicine, and I can attest to the existence of witchcraft in this community,” she said.
Karani, an elder of the Njuri Ncheke appreciated the residents who came out to report the incident.
“Residents gathered at his home to witness the elders confiscate the witchcraft items discovered in the suspect’s house,’ he said.
“We urge members of the community to continue informing the Elders if they come across a witchcraft incident.
‘The Elders had carried out their investigation, which is why the suspect was apprehended.
“Various witchcraft-related items were discovered in his house.
“The search for more witchcraft-related items is still ongoing,” he said.
Another elder of the Njuri Ncheke said the elders will apprehend and eliminate each and every suspect of witchcraft one by one.
“We have permission from the chief, sub-chief and the OCS because once we apprehend a suspect, they will be able to see the evidence,’ he said.
“We also apprehended another young man suspected of witchcraft and thrashed him mercilessly before capturing him.
“He is notorious for casting a spell on his peers to drive them insane,’ he said.
another resident applauded the elders’ efforts and urged them to continue.
