Elder kills himself to escape mob lynching
Suspected witchcraft paraphernalia seized by police in Nakuru in 2011. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | FILE
What you need to know:
- Mrima Wa Ndege location chief Samson Chai said the elder committed suicide after villagers threatened to lynch him after claiming that he was a witch.
- Mr Chai said that the death of the old man was an indication that fear had gripped the elderly in the region.
The body of an elderly man was found hanging on a tree at the weekend.
Mrima Wa Ndege location chief Samson Chai said the elder committed suicide after villagers threatened to lynch him after claiming that he was a witch. Mzee Mwanzala Yaa Mangi’s body was found by neighbours.
Mr Chai said that the death of the old man was an indication that fear had gripped the elderly in the region.
“He decided to kill himself instead of waiting for the killers to pounce on him. This is very sad,” said the chief.
Kilifi county police commander James Kithuka confirmed the incident.
The late Mangi was accused by villagers of bewitching a man and fined Sh50,000 and three bulls.
