Four elderly women who were lynched in Kisii over witchcraft allegations buried

By , K24 Digital
On Sat, 6 Nov, 2021 17:56 | 2 mins read
Kisii Deputy Governor pays his last respects to the four elderly women. PHOTO/COURTESY

Four elderly women who were lynched in Kisii County over allegations of practising witchcraft were buried today in an emotional send-off.

According to locals, the four bewitched a Form Two student, making him mute.

When the student reportedly regained his speech, he claimed that the four women were behind his troubles. His claims prompted the locals to storm the home of the four women, assaulted them before burning them alive.

Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi who attended the funeral service condemned the heinous act by the locals.

“We strongly condemn those who participated in that heinous act and those who negatively label others, especially the elderly, as ‘Abarogi’. May the Lord rest their souls in eternal peace,” Maangi said.

Maangi further revealed Kisii Governor James Ongwae had formed a tasks force that will come up with recommendations to decipher some cultural beliefs and seek better ways of mediating unresolved community conflicts.

"We are committed to finding a lasting solution to address such issues. Governor James Ongwae has formed a task force that will come up with recommendations to decipher some of these cultural beliefs and seek better ways of mediating unresolved community conflicts.

The women included Jemima Mironga, 60, Agnes Ototo, 57, Sigara Onkware, 62 and Sindege Mayaka, 85.

The four were lynched in Mbanda area, Kisii County on suspicion of witchcraft, with their bodies burnt beyond recognition.

According to the area assistant chief Evans Nyabiba who reported the matter residents had arrested and lynched two people on suspicion of witchcraft but when the police arrived at the scene two more had been burnt.

“The area assistant chief reported that residents of Nyagonyi village in his sub-location had arrested and lynched two people on suspicion of witchcraft. The sub-county security team immediately visited the scene and found two more people already lynched, and their bodies burnt beyond recognition,” a statement by the police read.

A minor is among two suspects who have been arrested by the police in connection to the cruel murder of elderly women