Cowry shells ‘catch thieves’ in Nandi

Kimagut arap Saina [Photo: Standard]

By Michael Chepkwony

Despite his advanced age, Kimagut arap Saina is one of the busiest men in Songoliet village in Nandi. His power to ‘see’ stolen property and lost people has made him more popular than the police. He is considered the ‘eye’ of the village. The 107-year-old man is said to have magical powers to ‘catch’ thieves. For this reason, villagers claim, theft cases are rare.

And unlike many ‘doctors or magicians’, Kimagut power resides in the cowry shells and pebbles that he uses to ‘point to the direction of the suspect’.

Curiosity got the better part of this writer and he paid Kimagut a ‘courtesy’ call at home.

Around him are several children listening as he narrates one story after another while he chews his tobacco. With him is his 60-year-old second born son David arap Magut who has ‘the eye’.

When the Kikwetu team requested him to demonstrate how he conducts his searches, Kimagut looked bewildered and asked Magut to inquire if we were was serious. 

“I do not demonstrate. I search,” he says and spits on the grass.

After a few minutes, Magut persuades his father who nods before calling his wife with a weak voice to bring his tools of trade.

 Tools of trade

The tools include a hide and a smoke-filled calabash with cowry shells and pebbles. Kimagut takes the hide and spreads it on the grass before stepping on the edge. He slowly takes the container from his wife Christina.

One of the team members acted as the ‘client’. He walks to Kimagut, greets him and is handed a calabash and kneels.

“Open the calabash, spit in and pour your troubles in,” he instructs as he hands the container to the client.