We want ghostbusters, demand teachers at Kilifi school

Kaloleni MP Gunga Mwinga got a rude shock when he took prizes to a school in his constituency, only for the teachers and parents to demand a ghostbuster.

The teachers at Pangayambo Primary School in Kayafungo Ward said they needed a ghostbuster because the pupils had been bewitched.

The MP said the visit to award good performers last Friday was his second to the school, the first one having been thwarted by parents and the community last year.

Acting head teacher Richard Charo told the gathering that evil charms had been planted within the school compound, leading to poor performance by pupils in national exams.

Zonal Education Officer Chigulu Mwarumba supported the head teacher’s claims, saying he had received reports of strange occurrences in the school.

Ms Rehema Charo, the school cook, told journalists she had found dead chicken and tortoises in the kitchen on several occasions.

“Other times, I have found old coins in the sufuria I use to make tea,” she said.

GHOSTS 'TOO STRONG'

The parents now want an exorcist to get rid of the ghosts after two preachers “failed to drive out the demons”.

“What is happening in this school is indescribable. Girls just fall and become unconscious. Bright pupils end up performing terribly. We brought preachers from Chonyi and Kambe but the ghosts proved too strong for them.

“If parents are willing, we can bring exorcists to try their luck,” said Mr Charo.

Mr Mwinga admitted that the school had suffered due to belief in witchcraft.

“Parents, teachers, the community and myself will hold a series of meetings to educate you on the bad effects of believing in black magic. We need to discard non-progressive cultures,” he said.

Kaloleni Deputy County Commissioner Fred Ndunga said belief in witchcraft had affected development in the area.

“We cannot arrest suspected witch doctors even if the community gives us names because there is no scientific proof against them. We cannot charge people on beliefs,” he said.