Groups join war against lynch mobs

A house belonging to suspects after it was torched in Kisii district. PHOTO/ JACOB OWITI

What you need to know:

  • KNCHR works with lobbies in drive to sensitise public on the sanctity of life

In Kisii, the worst thing that can happen to you is for somebody to claim that you are either a witch or a criminal.

Within seconds, an irate mob would descend on you with all types of weapons and only leave the scene after ensuring that you are dead.

The alarming rate at which people are being killed for allegedly being witches in different parts of Kisii, Gucha and Nyamira districts have raised concern among human rights activists and religious leaders, who are now calling for stern action against those involved.

Reports indicate that an average of six people are lynched in different parts of Kisii on a monthly basis for allegedly practising witchcraft. Suspected criminals are also not spared.

A number of people, either serving sentences or in remand at Kisii Prison, have declined to go home after being released for fear of being killed by lynch mobs.

The elderly

Most of the people targeted over witchcraft-related claims are mainly the elderly and they are dragged out of their homes by vigilante groups, who then execute them in cold blood as relatives and close family members watch helplessly.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) vice-chairman, Mr Hassan Omar, said the commission was concerned by increased cases of lynching of witchcraft suspects and criminals in Kisii.

“As a commission we have written to security agencies in the area to investigate these cases and take appropriate action because what is happening is criminal and a violation of one’s human rights,” he said.

Mr Omar said anybody suspected of committing a crime is deemed innocent until proved guilty by a court of law.

Right to live

“The right to live is non-negotiable and whoever breaches this provision should be held liable,” he said.

Mr Omar said KNCHR was working with different lobby groups to sensitise the public on the sanctity of life and why they should hand over suspects to the police instead of lynching them.

One of the most recent incidents involved the lynching of five suspected witches in Kanunda village, Bomwanda sub-location, Kisii District, in February.

According to a relative of one those killed, Ms Malkline Nyaboe, it was around 3pm when she saw a huge mob singing war songs enter their compound.

Before she knew what was happening their houses were set on fire and people alleged to be witches rounded up and burnt.

“I did not believe what I was seeing because I thought I was dreaming. But when I recovered from the shock I could not comprehend what had occurred,” Ms Nyaboe said.

She said those lynched in the incident were Boyani Gichana, Yobensia Ongubo, Christopher Ongubo, Sandimu Mageto and Mary Chietunde Agirio.

Ms Nyaboe said the five were killed after a boy who was abducted from his house allegedly mentioned them as the ones behind his kidnap.

Watched helplessly

Ms Nyaboe, an aunt of Yobensia Ongubo, who was among those lynched, said she had never witnessed such an atrocity since her childhood.

“It was horrifying to see defenceless people being killed senselessly,” she said.

And Evelyn Kemunto, whose mother- in-law Mary Chietunde Agirio, 48, was also killed, said she escaped the wrath of the assailants by a whisker.

“I watched helplessly as my mother-in-law was burnt to ashes without intervening because I was threatened with death if I tried to help,” the bitter Ms Kemunto said.

Mr Christopher Ongubo, who was a church elder, was also not spared by the rampaging killer mob and those who know him are still questioning how he was linked to witchcraft.

Kisii district criminal investigations officer Issa Mohammed said more than 30 people have been arrested in connection with incidents of lynching since the beginning of the year.

“Out of this number 20 have been bonded to keep peace while 10 others are facing murder charges,” he said.

The investigations officer said police will not relent in taking action against those who lynch suspected criminals, saying legal provisions are available to deal with such cases.

“There is a law dealing with witchcraft and anybody with information about suspected witches should pass it over to law enforcement agencies to take action instead of lynching the suspects,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said police will act firmly against those who violate the rights of others through what he termed “mob justice”.

“Anybody who kills a suspected criminal will face the full force of the law just like any other criminals,” he said.

Bishop Joseph Mairura of Kisii Catholic Church said witchcraft was evil and those found practising it should be subjected to due legal process instead of being lynched.

“Suspected criminals of any nature, be they witches or otherwise, should be subjected to the existing legal structures in a court of law to determine whether they are guilty or innocent,” he said.

Bishop Mairura cautioned the youths against being used to kill suspected criminals in the name of fighting crime.

MPs Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache) and Dr Robert Monda (Nyaribari Chache) criticised increased incidents of lynching in their constituencies. They urged area residents to report criminals to the police.

Mr Onyonka said those masterminding the executions should be prosecuted to avert the practice.

“It is criminal to kill somebody in the name of fighting crime and those responsible should not be spared,” he said.

To suppress cases of lynching, Dr Monda said there was need for people to be sensitised on the importance of obeying the law.

Nyanza provincial police officer Anthony Kibuch said more than 27 suspects have been arrested in connection with killings in Kisii, adding that more would be arraigned in court on completion of investigations.

He denied reports that police took long to arrive at the scene of lynching, saying they act swiftly whenever they receive information about such incidents.

Mr Kibuchi asked the public to desist from engaging in extra-judicial killings and instead report criminals to the police.