A shocking ritual murder in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Warning: the graphic contents of the following articles may shock readers.
(webmaster FVDK).

Girl’s severed head found in ‘witch doctor’s’ house

Published: January 19, 2021
By: The Star, Kenya – By Cyrus Ombati and Gerald Mutehia

In Summary

•Residents at a church at Magutuni said they heard screams from the girl, so they rushed to the scene, a so-called ‘witch doctor’s’ house.

• She had been slaughtered, and so had a goat. The men were feasting on meat – whose?

*A headless goat’s carcass found at the home of the alleged witchdoctor at Mpingu village*

Police are holding a suspected witch doctor and his client after a nine-year-old girl was beheaded and her heart cut out in a ritual murder in Tharaka Nithi.

When police arrived on Sunday afternoon, they said they found two men – a ‘traditional healer’ and his client – eating meat. It was not clear if it was human flesh, a beheaded sacrificial goat or a chicken whose hearts had been ripped out.

The girl was a milkmaid who regularly delivered milk and was seeking payment.

Congregants from a nearby church said they had reprimanded Suleiman Mati Mukira 94, from Mpingu village, Kiroo sub-location and his client. The police report also named Mukira.

Congregants heard the girls’ screams, raised the alarm and rushed to the scene.

The body in a gunny bag and the severed head were recovered from the witch doctor’s home on Sunday afternoon.

Police said they demanded to be shown the girl who screamed and was shown a girl’s headless torso.

The homeowner told police his client had slaughtered the girl as a sacrifice.

Police identified the girl as Deborah Kagendi Kinengeni who had delivered milk to the homestead.

The men turned violent when police were called to the scene and conducted a search leading to more discoveries.

The body of the child was found hidden in a goat shed. The head was found nearby.

Police said they also found slaughtered chickens whose hearts had been ripped out.

Eastern head of DCI Jeremiah Ikiao said they are trying to establish if the murder was isolated or part of serial ritual murders.

“It looks like a ritual but we will know more as investigators work on the incident,” he said. The remains of the girl were moved to the mortuary.

Police plan to produce the two in court and seek time to hold them while they conduct investigations.

“OCS Magutuni, DCI officers and SCPC Maara rushed to the scene and found the child having been killed. Her body was concealed in a goat shed, her head was cut off and placed outside the goat shed.

“Outside the compound was a slaughtered goat. Inside Mukira’s house was a slaughtered chicken and witchcraft items,” a police report seen by the Star reads.

Preliminary observation has shown that the girl’s heart was missing, police said. Witchcraft paraphernalia were found nearby. Police collected two blood-stained pangas.

Police at Ntumu station are holding the suspects as they investigate.

The body was taken to Chuka Hospital morgue for a postmortem.

(Edited by V. Graham)

Source: Girl’s severed head found in ‘witch doctor’s’ house

Kenya: Murdered Tharaka Nithi Girl Victim of Ritual Sacrifice

Published: January 19, 2021
By: Nation Media Group, Kenya – Alex Njeru

A key suspect in Sunday’s bizarre murder of a nine-year-old girl from Mpingu village in Maara Sub-county, Tharaka Nithi County, has claimed that he was offering a sacrifice to a witchdoctor.

In a shocking revelation to the parents of the murdered girl at Chogoria Police Station where the 32-year-old man is in custody, he said he had been directed to sacrifice a girl, goat and a chicken and surrender the hearts so that he could be protected from his relatives “who were planning to kill him”.

The suspect is being held together with the alleged 94-year-old witchdoctor. The suspect from Kariakomo village in Ganda ward, and who is a frequent visitor of the old man according to villagers, confessed that he killed a white chicken, a goat and the girl; whom the old man called from a nearby church.

Addressing the media, Maara Sub-county Police Commander Mohammed Jarso said the hearts of the slaughtered goat and chicken were missing but that of the girl was intact.

“The girl was beheaded but no part of the body was missing,” said Mr Jarso.

Police said the suspected witchdoctor claimed that his client turned violent and killed the goat and chicken before turning on the girl, who was picking some passion fruits at his farm.

Pick a bottle

He claimed that he had called the girl to pick a bottle that she had used to deliver some milk to him in the morning.

Mr Jarso said the matter is still under investigation, but added that the key suspect could be suffering from mental illness.

According to police, the old man reported the murder.

The villagers, among them worshippers at the Full Gospel Church led by Ms Josephine Mpuria, however claim that he rushed to the police after sensing danger from the residents who were threatening to lynch the two.

Ms Mpuria said the old man has been suspected of practicing witchcraft for a long time, but most of his customers come from far-off places.

‘Witch-doctor’

“Everybody in the village knows the old man as a witch-doctor and it has never been a secret,” said Ms Mpuria. She added that they suspect the old man has been demanding human sacrifices from his clients, and asked the police to conduct thorough investigations including searching his houses and farm.

Mr Evans Mawira, the girl’s brother, said that, when asked what had happened, the old man told him that he was ready to give him his only dairy cow in exchange for the girl.

“When I pushed the old man from where he was sitting down, I discovered the head of my sister and screamed in shock,” said Mawira.

Mr Ignatius Mutunga, the girl’s father, who received news of the heinous act while in Nairobi where he works, pleaded for justice to be done noting that the old man should not try to exonerate himself from the crime.

He said that, although he had been hearing that the old man is a witchdoctor, he has been selling milk to him and his children delivered it when they were not in school.

“I have lost my loving daughter and I am pleading for justice,” said Mr Mutunga.

The incident has left the villagers in shocked.

The two are expected to be arraigned in Chuka today (Tuesday).

Source: Kenya: Murdered Tharaka Nithi Girl Victim of Ritual Sacrifice

and:

Tharaka Nithi girl’s head severed in suspected ritual killing

*The scene in Maara Sub-county, Tharaka Nithi County, where a girl was found dead on January 17, 2021, in a suspected case of a ritual killing.*

Published: January 19, 2021
By: Nation Media Group, Kenya – Alex Njeru

A suspected witchdoctor and his client were Sunday arrested in Maara Sub-county, Tharaka Nithi County, for allegedly killing a nine-year-old girl for a ritual.

In the incident at Magutuni, people worshipping at the nearby Full Gospel Church said they heard a girl’s cries but initially didn’t pay much attention to them.

They said that after completing the service, they decided to find out what had happened so they went to the alleged witchdoctor’s home.

There they reportedly found the 94-year-old and his client eating meat but were quickly shown a slaughtered goat.

Suspicious behaviour

The people said they then demanded to know where the girl the suspected witchdoctor had earlier called from the church was.

Resident James Mutembei said the girl delivered milk to the old man every day for pay.

The residents said that upon asking about the Grade Two pupil’s whereabouts, the man and his client turned violent, prompting them to call police.

Mr Mutembei said that when police arrived, their search found the girl’s severed head hidden in a chicken coop.

When the police officers forced the two to show them the body, they were led to one of the houses in the compound, the residents said.

They added that they also found three slaughtered chickens with missing hearts.

“The old man, who is a known witchdoctor in the village, called the girl and asked her to collect some bottles. That is when the two slaughtered her and ate her heart,” Mr Mutembei claimed.

Police report

The suspects were taken to Ntumu Police Station and a probe opened.

A report from Magutuni Police Station gave a different account as reported by the 94-year-old, whom police said is a witchdoctor from Mpingu village, Kiroo.

The report says that in his report filed at the station, he told police that his client went to his home and attacked the girl.

The report says the girl’s body was found hidden in a goat shed, her head outside the shed and a slaughtered goat outside the compound.

Police said that inside the old man’s house was a slaughtered chicken and items used for witchcraft.

They collected two stained machetes from the scene.

The girl’s body was taken to Chuka mortuary .

Source: Tharaka Nithi girl’s head severed in suspected ritual killing

And:

Village elder Mpingu narrates horrible murder of 9-year-old girl in Tharaka Nithi County – YouTube (video) – click here

Kenya: mutilated body of girl, 14, discovered in thicket

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Allegedly, five girls have been murdered for ritualistic purposes in the past two years. Are these murders linked? Is a serial murderer responsible for these heinous crimes? Or have all five girls been lost to ritual killings?

Unfortunately, information is lacking wether anyone has been caught in relation to these murders. But the residents of the area are outspoken: “These senseless killings have to be stopped by the government.”

Indeed, the government must protect its citizens and arrest and bring to trial perpetrators of ugly crimes such as kidnapping, rape, torture and murder. (Webmaster FVDK)

Mutilated body of girl, 14, discovered in thicket

Published: December 17, 2020
By: The Standard, Kenya – Osinde Obare

Residents of Moi’s Bridge Township are mourning the death of a 14- year-old girl in a suspected ritual killing.

The mutilated body of Mary Erwusa, a pupil at Nabiswa primary school, was discovered in a sack dumped at Baharani forest near the township.

Erwasu had been sent by her parents to a local shop on Tuesday at around 9am to buy sacks to store maize when she was waylaid by unknown assailants.

After the disappearance of the girl, residents formed four groups and embarked on a search mission up to midnight.

On Wednesday morning the group discovered the body in a nearby forest.

George Omenga, the girl’s father, strongly condemned the attack that took away his daughter’s life.

“I had sent my daughter to buy some sacks to store maize…It is a beastly act and it has left us with a big mark,” said Omenge.

Maurice Odour, a resident, said they suspected that the deceased was gang-raped before she was killed.

He said Erwusa’s killing brings to five the number of minors killed in the past two years under similar circumstances.

Odour linked the killing to a ritual owing to the state of the body.

“We have lost five girls to ritual killings. These senseless killings have to be stopped by the government,” he said.

Late last year, Stacy Nasibo, 10, disappeared before her body was discovered at a thicket near Moi’s bridge.

On February 15 this year, Lucy Wanjiku, 13, was murdered and her body dumped at the same thicket.

Source: Mutilated body of girl, 14, discovered in thicket

Kenya: three men to serve 35 years in jail for killing village mate over witchcraft claim

Posted on December 13, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

The following is an interesting case. This time it’s not about a ritual murder, a killing for ritual purposes, to enhance one’s wealth, prestige or power. However, it does concern an unlawful killing (are there any killings that are lawful??): it was a killing based on superstition which the accused committed, according to the verdict of the judge.

The good thing about this case is that the rule of law was upheld, even though the crime dates from eight years ago. Three accused, Mr Chengo Kadenge, Safari Kombe Koi and his son Kahindi Safar Kombe, were found guilty of murdering Mr. Karisa Katoi Kani, on suspicion of bewitching a women, Mr. Koi’s wife. The judge found them guilty of the murder which happened in Matsongoni Village in Ganze, in Kilifi County, on December 8, 2012. The convicted men will spend the next 35 years in jail.

It is interesting to note that judge Nyakundi explicitly stated that “(..) belief in witchcraft as a justification to kill another human being, is not excusable (…).” Justice Nyakundi added that a fundamental principle is that courts should intervene where culture and traditions are used as a defense or justification to commit murder. (webmaster FVDK).

Father, son to serve 35 years in jail for killing village mate over witchcraft claim

Published: December 10, 2020
By: The Nation, Kenya – Philip Muyanga

Three villagers, among them a man and his son, will spend the next 35 years in jail after they were found guilty of murdering their villagemate on suspicion of bewitching a woman.

Mr Chengo Kadenge, Safari Kombe Koi and his son Kahindi Safari Kombe were found guilty of murdering Mr Karisa Katoi Kani, whom they had accused of committing deadly witchcraft.

The woman who died is said to have been Mr Koi’s wife.
In sentencing the accused, Justice Reuben Nyakundi said the murder was well planned and executed with a joint common enterprise and malice aforethought.

Justice Nyakundi further noted that a fundamental principle is that courts should intervene where culture and traditions are used as a defence or justification to commit murder.

“This court, being in the exalted position of a trial court in murder cases, has a right and obligation to speak firmly and expand jurisprudence touching on belief in witchcraft as a justification to kill another human being, is not excusable,” said Justice Nyakundi.

Cultural practices

Justice Nyakundi said it is evident that the social-cultural structures on witchcraft beliefs can result in the killing of vulnerable aged men and women of the community especially older people who are socially and economically disadvantaged and lack legal protection.

The accused, jointly with others not in court, murdered Mr Kani on December 8, 2012, in Matsongoni Village in Ganze, in Kilifi County.

The court noted that prosecution witnesses supported a clear narrative that the accused engaged the deceased in a physical altercation following a witchcraft cleansing ritual at the home of Mr Koi.

The accused person gave the deceased a cup and water with a concoction which was to be used to heal or restore the life of the wife of the third accused (Mr Koi).

“From the evidence, the accused persisted in violent attacks against the deceased, as confirmed by prosecution witnesses one to four. The acts of violence involved the use of hard sticks and clubs to inflict harm on the head, and within a few minutes the victim died,” said Justice Nyakundi.

He further ruled that the measure of unlawfulness and omissions by the accused demonstrates beyond reasonable doubt that the victim’s death was neither justified nor excusable.

Justice Nyakundi also rejected the alibi defence by the accused.

“The nuances of the alibi defence generated by the accused persons are of such a character as incapable of credible rebuttal,” said Justice Nyakundi.

In their defence, the accused denied committing the offence, saying they were not near the scene of the crime and, therefore, would not be expected to have killed the man.

pmuyanga@ke.nationmedia.com

Source: Father, son to serve 35 years in jail for killing village mate over witchcraft claim

Kenya: Police investigating the brutal murder of a 54-year-old man – was it a ritual killing?

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Whereas the following article on the gruesome murder of a 54-year man cannot be labelled a ‘ritual murder’ before the investigation surrounding his death has ended, some newspapers already call his cruel death a ‘ritual killing’ (see the second article below).

As usual, I wish to plead for prudence. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, I present the case here – with a disclaimer – for reasons which may be clear after reading the report below.

Warning:
the following article contains graphic details of a gruesome murder (webmaster FVDK).

Police probing motive of 54-year-old man’s brutal killing

*Naomi Wanjiru holds a photograph of her uncle Samuel Mungai who was murdered at Kabogo village in Murang’a County on November 5. Police are trying to establish the motive of the killing.* Credit: *Joseph Kanyi | Nation Media Group*

Published: November 11, 2020
By: Nation, Kenya – Mwangi Muiruri

What you need to know:

The victim’s body was found in a pool of blood, about 300 metres from his house.
Police believe the elaborate murder was executed between 9pm and 11pm.

Residents of Kambogo village in Murang’a County are yet to come to terms with the horrific murder of Mr Samuel Mungai Gachihi on October 22.

The body of the 54-year-old man had no private parts, tongue, ears, eyes and nose when it was found — a murder that bore the marks of a ritual killing.

“The scene details indicate devilish work of a killer or killers who had all the time with the victim, going to the extent of skinning his head and harvesting all those organs,” said Kigumo police boss Michael Ndegwa.

The post-mortem report indicated that the man first suffered blunt force trauma to the top of his head, which cracked his skull.

The assailant(s) then slit his throat and then “the evil of harvesting the organs was executed”.

Police believe the elaborate murder was executed between 9pm and 11pm, which was corroborated by some neighbours who reported hearing the man scream twice from around 9.30pm.

At the scene was an iron bar, three unused condoms, an empty cigarette packet and snuff wrappings.

Why anyone would want to kill Mungai so cruelly is the puzzle the police are trying to solve.

Horrific scene

No suspect has been arrested so far.

When the Nation team visited the village, journalists were shown where the body was found by a man who was taking milk to the dairy co-operative society. The body was found in a pool of blood, about 300 metres from his house.

“The scene was so horrifying that I have been seeing a counsellor weekly. It is a miracle that I’m still sane. It is the most horrible sight I have encountered in my 72 years in this world,” said Mr Moses Njau, who was among the first to arrive at the scene.

Mr Mungai’s niece, Naomi Wanjiru, said he never married and was known for loathing relationships.

Kigumo police boss Ndegwa said the man is confirmed to have arrived home on that fateful night at around 7pm and herded his two goats and five hens into his one-roomed house where they usually slept to avoid being stolen.

However, Mr Ndegwa said the motive was not stealing the animals and that Mr Mungai was most likely lured out of the house by a person known to him.

The police boss said getting the killers hinged on the motive.

“We are working around some possibilities revolving around family feud, business rivalry, occultism and normal crime,” he said.

Person of interest

Mr Mungai was one of three siblings — a brother Harun Muhia and sister, Joyce Nyambura.

Mr Muhia died in 2013, leaving his widow Jane Nduta, 61, and six daughters and one son.

However, Mr Mungai is reported to have expressed a desire to get married.

He was to get part of the family’s 0.7 acres, worth Sh800,000.

Mr Ndegwa said police are also looking into the religious inclination of all of Mr Mungai’s relatives and villagers, looking for evidence of occult practices.

Another theory is that the deceased was embroiled in a business feud.

“There is one specific character being mentioned by the locals as a person of interest owing to macabre statements he was heard uttering at the scene and in the burial.

“We are working on starting an onslaught against the suspects,” said Mr Ndegwa.

Source: Police probing motive of 54-year-old man’s brutal killing

RITUAL BLOODBATH Man, 54, slaughtered before his head skinned and eyes, ears and tongue cut out in horror ‘ritual killing’ in Kenya

Published: November 11, 2020
By: The Sun (UK) – Magda Ibrahim

**The horror killing took place in a small village in Kenya’s Murang’a County**
Credit: Getty Images – Getty

THE ‘DEVILISH’ work of a killer is being probed by police after the mutilated body of a man was found with his head skinned and eyes, ears and tongue cut out.

Samuel Mungai Gachihi, 54, was found in a pool of blood just metres from his home in Kenya.

His butchered body was found with his throat slit, his head skinned and his eyes gouged out, reported local media.

Tragic Mr Gachihi’s face had been completely disfigured, with his ears, tongue, nose missing, along with his private parts.

Residents of Kambogo village in Kenya’s central Murang’a County, around 100 miles north east of the capital Nairobi, claim the missing body parts point to a ritual killing.

We are working on possibilities revolving around…occultism

The post-mortem report indicated Mr Gachihi first suffered blunt force trauma to the top of his head, cracking his skull in the attack earlier this month.

His throat was then slit and “the evil of harvesting the organs was executed” in the elaborate killing, reported the country’s Nation newspaper.

At the crime scene, officers found an iron bar, along with cigarettes, three unused condoms, and snuff wrappings.

Neighbour Moses Njau, 72, was the first to come across the grisly scene and told local media he had been left traumatised by his discovery.

The victim’s niece, Naomi Wanjiru, said her uncle had never married and lived alone.

Police said after he arrived home the evening of the attack, he herded his two goats and five hens into his house to avoid them being stolen.

It is believed he was later lured out of his house, around 300m away to the scene of the attack.

“We are working around some possibilities revolving around family feud, business rivalry, occultism and normal crime,” Supt Ndegwa told local media.

No arrests have been made.

**The victim’s niece, Naomi Wanjiru, said her uncle had never married**
Credit: nation.africa

Source: RITUAL BLOODBATH: Man, 54, slaughtered before his head skinned and eyes, ears and tongue cut out in horror ‘ritual killing; in Kenya

Kenya: Uasin Gishu police arrest five following rape and murder of children – ritual murder suspected

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Another case, maybe not of a ritual murder, but of parents who fear that their child has become victim of a ritual murder. We always have to be careful in labelling a murder as a ritualistic act based on superstition, but it is striking that as soon as a mutilated body has been found local people think of a ritualistic killing. A very telling signal. One of their basic human rights is the right to live without fear. For this reason I have included the case below. (webmaster FVDK).

Uasin Gishu police arrest five following rape and murder of children

Nominated MCA Belinda Tirop (left) with Ms Loice Muthoni, Ms Sharon Sakwa and Ms Caroline Naliaka Nabiswa whose children’s murders remain unsolved. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Published: July 7, 2020
By: Daily Nation, Kenya – Titus Ominde

Police in Moi’s Bridge have arrested five people on suspicion of being serial killers and defilers.

Five children have been found murdered in the town in seven months.

The arrests came after protests by Nominated Ward Representative Belinda Tirop and area residents.

Locals say the crimes could be linked to ritual killings.

Uasin Gishu county police chief Johnston Ipara praised the residents of Soy Sub-County for providing information that led to the arrests.

He added that more people would be arrested and prosecuted.

MISSING FOR A MONTH

The county police boss said the five have already appeared in court as police pursue two other people still at large.

“Detectives on the ground are gathering crucial information to link the pair to the ones who have already been arrested,” he said.

Early in the year, a man and his daughter were arraigned for the murder of a 12-year-old girl.

The two were freed when the prosecution said it could not link them to the heinous crime.

Mr Ipara said those freed by courts are still being investigated.

“We have not given up on the suspects. They could be rearrested,” the county police commander said.

MUTILATED BODY

Two weeks ago, the mutilated body of Grace Njeri, who had been missing for a month, was found in a thicket.

This was the fifth child killing in six months.

On December 31, Ms Sharon Sakwa’s daughter was killed in a similar fashion.

The girl, Stacy Nabiswa, was a Standard Five pupil.

She disappeared on New Year’s Eve and her body found near the railway line the following day.

Ms Sakwa accused police of doing little to apprehend the perpetrators of the crimes.

Thirteen-year-old Lucy Wanjiru was defiled and killed on January 16.

Her mother, a greengrocer, was at the market when the murder occurred.

FREED FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE

Wanjiru’s stepfather was arrested but released later due to lack of evidence.

The girl was a Standard Six pupil at Moi Township Primary School.

Two weeks ago, local leaders and residents held a demonstration on the Kitale-Eldoret road to protest the killings. They accused security agents of doing little to stop them.

In response to the protests, Mr Ipara urged residents to provide information that would lead to arrests and prosecutions.

Mr Ipara, however, challenged parents to monitor their children.

“Let us be responsible and watchful if we are to eradicate these incidents,” Mr Ipara said.

He advised families to ensure children do not go to the shop or market unaccompanied.

Source: Uasin Gishu police arrest five following rape and murder of children

Girl, 13, found dead in Kisumu in suspected ritual killing (Kenya)

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Allegedly, the eighth (such) killing since 2010. If true, it’s a crying shame. Will it ever stop? People living in fear. Perpetrators who go unpunished. The rule of impunity. And WHY??? (webmaster FVDK)

Girl, 13, found dead in Kisumu in suspected ritual killing

Residents at the scene where the body of a 13-year-old girl was on April 4, 2020 found dumped in Nyahera, Urudi village in Kisumu County. PHOTO | VICTOR RABALLA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Published: April 5, 2020
By: Daily Nation – Victor Raballa

There was chaos on Saturday morning in Nyahera, Kisumu County after police lobbed tear gas canisters as they sought to carry away the body of a 13-year-old girl who was found brutally murdered in a suspected ritual killing.

Angry residents had protested and resisted an earlier attempt by the police to carry away the mutilated body of the Class Seven girl who is alleged to have disappeared at 1pm on Friday, shortly after delivering drinking water to her mother who was tilling her land a few meters from their home.

Residents suspected her murder is part of a ritual killing, citing seven other cases in which they claimed girls aged between eight and 14 years are targeted.

UNRESOLVED MURDERS

The angry residents had protested that police have not resolved past cases.

Ms Martha Auma, the girl’s mother, said she got alarmed at 6pm when she returned home only to find that her daughter, Tabitha Akinyi, had not returned.

“When I came back home, her siblings told me they had not seen her and thought she was helping me in the farm,” she said.

She immediately informed the chief who initiated a search around the village.

“I could not sleep at night and spent most of my time outside my house hoping she would come back,” said the tearful mother.

She woke up at 5.30am in the morning and went to check if Akinyi had decided to sleep at her friend’s home in the neighbouring village.

“However, on my way back, my heart sank when I heard some people wailing next to my home,” she said.

MUTILATED BODY

She dashed to the scene where she found the badly mutilated body of her second born child lying by the roadside, 200 meters from their house.

The body of Akinyi, a Standard Seven pupil at Ogada Primary School, was discovered by a passer-by who raised the alarm.

It is believed that the girl, who was strangled and had injuries on her face, was killed elsewhere and her body dumped at the scene where it was found.

For over six hours, hundreds of residents prevented the police from collecting the body as they complained over the rise similar incidents.

“This is now the eighth [such] killing since 2010,” said Mrs Grace Onyango who called on the police to urgently investigate the mysterious murders.

GIRLS TARGETED

“We have had enough of this and we will not allow our innocent children to be butchered like animals. There is no need for the police to carry the body since they have so many unresolved cases pending,” said Mr Charles Otieno.

He termed the killings as unusual as the perpetrators only target girls aged eight to 14 years.

“This is [probably] some kind of ritual which must be busted by law enforcement agencies before we take the matter into our own hands,” he said.

Police officers who arrived at the scene were forced to get backup to repulse the villagers who thronged the scene.

Kisumu County Police Commander Ranson Rolmodooni assured the residents that his officers will get to the bottom of the matter and ensure all those involved are arrested.

The body of girl was taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary to await post-mortem.

Source: Girl, 13, found dead in Kisumu in suspected ritual killing

Kenya: man and wife held over ritualistic murder of their son

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Bad news from Kenya where a couple has been arrested. They are accused of murdering their child in a ritualistic act. But also good news: swift action of the law enforcement officers. Hence, the rule of law. In many countries ritual killers get away with their heinous crimes. The two arrested in Kenya wil have to account for their deeds and, if found guilty, they will have to pay the prize accordingly, after an impartial, transparent trial (webmaster FVDK).

Man and wife held over ritualistic murder of their son, 4

Published: March 21, 2020
By: Nairobi News NN, KNA

Police in Bungoma are holding a couple for questioning after it emerged that the duo allegedly conspired to murder then secretly dumped the body of their four-year-old son at a nearby road.

Residents of Misikhu location, Webuye West constituency in Bungoma County were shocked after they encountered the lifeless body of the baby abandoned on a feeder road.

Preliminary investigations into the incident indicated that the couple had domestic squabbles and may have sacrificed the child in a ritual.

A neighbour who sought anonymity said the couple had frequent quarrels where the husband always accused the woman of infidelity.

The two suspects were apprehended at Makhese village after the mother confessed to killing their son. Police had to fire into the air to save them from an angry mob.

Webuye West sub-county commander Christopher Limo confirmed the arrests adding that the body of the deceased had been moved to the Webuye referral hospital mortuary while the parents were currently being held at Webuye police station for further questioning.

The area police boss further warned parents against infringing on the rights of children saying that his office would prosecute those found to be breaching these rights.

“Children have rights too and anyone who violates the children’s rights will be severely punished,” he charged.

Source: Man and wife held over ritualistic murder of their son, 4

Kenya: elderly Nyamira woman killed over witchcraft in what has been viewed as a ritual killing

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Superstition, witchcraft, fear, mob justice, murder, ritual killing – what is the common denominator?
Yes, ignorance. Lack of education. Which does not mean that well educated people are not involved in ritualistic murders. Bu that’s another story (webmaster FVDK).

Elderly Nyamira woman killed over witchcraft
Published: January 26, 2020
By: Standard, Kenya – James Ongwae

Police in Nyamira are investigating the killing of an elderly woman in what has been viewed as a ritual killing.

County Commissioner Amos Mariba said he had ordered the immediate arrest and bringing to book of all the people believed to have been behind the killing of Agnes Kwamboka Nyagwachi,60, at Bundo in Bogichora, Nyamira South.

Mariba said the body of the woman was found in a eucalyptus farm, about 50 meters away from her house.

“The body was lying on the ground and beside it were things which have led us to believe that it was a killing related to witchcraft or some form of rituals and currently we are narrowing down on possible perpetrators of the cold blood murder,” Mariba said.

The County Commissioner said some of the things which were retrieved beside the body included two dead rats, two brooms, two stones, one white pair of shorts, a full dress, two empty sacks, a black track tracksuit alongside a red pen.

Mariba said the deceased’s husband Peter Nyagwachi reported to authorities that his wife was picked from her house Sunday morning at around 3 am by a group of people known to him on suspicion that she was a witch.

James Orutwa, a clan elder at Bundo Village said he heard people wailing from the scene where the body was recovered and went there only to find out that the woman had long died.

“From a close look, the body bore multiple injuries on the left side of the head and superficial wound on the left leg.

Mariba said police had swung into action and all that was possible was being done to ensure anyone who participated in the killing faces the law.

This is not the first incident of such a ritual killing.

Two years ago, another woman from Bonyamatuta village was also killed on suspicion that she was a witch.

Source: Elderly Nyamira woman killed over witchcraft

Related article:

Sixty year old woman killed in Nyamira over witchcraft
Published: January 26, 20202
By: KDRTV, Kenya – Cynthia Mutinda

A 60 year old woman by the name of Agnes Wamboka Nyagwachi was found dead at Bundo Bogichora, Nyamira South over what id believed to be a killing ritual. Her body was found on the ground in a eucalyptus farm which is located about fifty meters from her house.

”The body was lying on the ground and beside it were things which have led us to believe that it was a killing related to witchcraft or some form of rituals and currently we are narrowing down on a possible perpetrators of the cold blood murder,”County commissioner Amos Mariba said.

Amos revealed that two dead rats,two brooms, two stones, one white pair of shorts, a full dress, two empty sacks, a black tracksuit and a red pen were some of the things retrieved besides Agnes’ body.

Investigations of the killing are currently being carried out by the police in Nyamira.

The court commission has ordered for the arrest of all the people that are believed to be behind the demise of Agnes Kwamboka Nyagwachi.

Peter Nyagwachi, the deceased husband told the authorities that a group of people known to him came to their home on Sunday morning around 3 am and picked his wife on a suspicion that Agnes was a witch.

James Orotwa, a clan elder at Bundo village said that he heard deafening screams coming from the eucalyptus farm and upon arrival at the scene found the woman long dead.

He revealed that the body bore multiple injuries on the left side of the head with a superficial wound on her left leg.

This is however was not the first time that such an incident has occurred. Two years ago, another woman in Bunyamatuta village was murdered on suspicion that she too practiced witchcraft.

Mariba promised that the police are working hard to ensure that the culprits who participated in the killing of Agnes face the law.

Source: Sixty year old woman killed in Nyamira over witchcraft

Kenya: woman who went missing in New Year found buried in shallow grave

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Not every dead body found with parts missing is the sinister result of a ritualistic murder. Sometimes a robbery or a rape followed by the violent death of the victim is disguised as a ritual killing by removing some body parts. Be that as it may, I always find it remarkable and significant that ordinary people almost immediately think of a ritual murder in case a body is discovered with several body parts missing (webmaster FVDK).

Published: January 12, 2020
By: Anthony Gitonga, Mpaso – Kenya

Flower farm workers in Naivasha are living in fear after the body of their colleague who has been missing of ten days was found buried in a shallow grave.

In what is believed to be a ritual killing, the body that was found near Karagita estate did not have one leg and one eye.

The woman identified as Nancy Wangui went missing on New Year after leaving her house at 430am to report to one of the flower farms where she worked.

There were fears that the woman could have been sexually abused before the eye was gouged out and the leg cut off at the thigh.

Emotions ran high on Thursday evening as police and members of the public moved in to exhume the body before taking it to the area mortuary.

According to Antony Mburu the brother to the deceased, their sister left for job very early in the morning as has been the norm.

He told of their concern after she failed to return in the evening and on enquiring they were informed that she had not reported for duty.

“WE SENSED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND REPORTED THE MATTER TO THE POLICE AS WE MOUNTED A FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR HER,” HE SAID.

Amid tears, Mburu told of their shock after they were informed about a body buried in a shallow grave near the sprawling Karagita estate.

His younger brother Stephen Mburu told of the family pain after her body was discovered with some body parts missing.

He said that they were had searched in various police stations and hospitals to no avail until some minors stumbled on the body.

“IT’S PAINFUL THAT MY INNOCENT SISTER HAD TO DIE IN SUCH A PAINFUL DEATH AND WE HOPE THOSE RESPONSIBLE WILL BE ARRESTED,” HE SAID.

An elder Mohammed Were decried the odd hours that flower farm workers were reporting to duty adding that they were exposed to attacks.

“THIS ROAD IS IN PATHETIC CONDITION MAKING IT HARD FOR FLOWER FARM WORKERS WHO REPORT TO WORK AT 5AM HARD TO GET MEANS OF TRANSPORT,” HE SAID.

Naivasha OCPD Samuel Waweru confirmed the incident adding that they were treating it as murder though no suspect had been arrested.

“A REPORT WAS MADE OVER A MISSING WOMAN A WEEK AGO AND THE BODY HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BURIED IN A SHALLOW GRAVE AND OUR OFFICERS ARE FOLLOWING IT UP,” HE SAID.

Source: Woman who went missing in New year found buried in shallow grave

Zambia: over 50 arrested in Chingola riots after police allegedly failed to arrest a suspected ritual killer

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Early January of this year riots broke out in Chiwempala Township in Chingola District on the Copperbelt. The rioters took to the streets to protest the alleged failure by police to arrest a man they suspect to have been behind the alleged ritual killings in the district. Mob justice, often based on rumors, is wrong and reprehensible. People should respect the authorities, but as one comment on the first article reproduced below shows, not everyone disagrees with people who take the law in their own hands: ‘(…) let the civilians do what they can do. (…)’

Every year hundreds of innocent civilians – i.e. not found guilty by an independent court – die as a result of mob justice in African countries. In South Africa it even has a special name: ‘necklacing’. The apprehended suspected criminal is tied up by civilians, who put a tire doused in gasoline around the neck of the suspect. They then set the tire and the suspect on fire (alive!), who usually perishes. In 2011, 543 people died as a result of ‘lynching’ (mob justice) in Kenya, according to official statistics. In Uganda, 568 people succumbed as a result of mob justice in 2014.

Murderers must be arrested and tried by an independent court. ‘Law abiding’ citizens who turn into murderers as a result of mob justice must be apprehended and prosecuted too. Therefor, the Zambian police must be complimented for doing its work (webmaster FVDK).

Over 50 arrested in Chingola riots
Published: January 9, 2020
By: Chris Phiri, Zambia Reports

Over 50 people have been arrested in connection with the riots that broke out in Chiwempala Township in Chingola District on the Copperbelt.

The unruly rioters took to the streets to protest the alleged failure by police to arrest a man they suspect to have been behind the alleged ritual killings in the district.

They blocked roads, burnt three motor vehicles and one house all properties belonging to the same person.

The rioters did not only damage property but also rooted various goods among them groceries and household goods.

Copperbelt Police Deputy Commissioner Wamunyima Wamunyima has stated that police managed to bring to book some of the rioters who are currently detained at Chingola Central Police.

Officers from the Zambia Army and Zambia Police have since managed to contain the situation.

Source: Over 50 arrested in Chingola riots

Related article:

Falsehood negatively affected law and order in Chingola
Published: January 9, 2020
By: Alice Nachilembe, The Independent Observer

Ritual Killing In Africa

Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Superstition in Africa

Category Archives: Kenya