Horror killings that target the elderly spreads to Taita Taveta

The Kasigau Hills in Taita-Taveta County are a wonder to behold. The gently rolling land, which forms part of the giant Maungu-Buguta settlement scheme, is dotted with beautiful rocky outcrops which could provide a rendezvous for nature lovers and tourists.

But beneath this beauty lies the pain of death and destitution, fear and despondency. Elderly villagers are falling victim to macabre killings which have left families mourning and grieving in shock. Some residents attribute these killings to witchcraft. But to some, this is a red herring. The real cause of these murders could be linked to family disputes over land and property.

In the most recent incident, 75-year-old Kahindi Kiboni was brutally killed by a two-man gang wielding machetes and powerful spotlights, which they used to dazzle and confuse him before chopping him almost to pieces.

The home of the elderly Giriama man has been pervaded by an eerie silence and apprehension as members of his family come to terms with the death of their patriarch who had married three women. As if in mourning, stunted maize plants that surround the old man’s grave are the silent witnesses to the scary peace of Mzee Kiboni’s grave. His family is unwilling to talk about his death.

Tragic death

A putrid revolting smell of decaying blood around the graveside and tufts of grey human hair are testimonies to the rituals locals performed to appease the spirits of those who meet tragic death like Mzee Kiboni.

“My father relocated from Kilifi more than 15 years ago and settled in Buguta village. He had warned us not to take his body back to Kilifi when he dies because there was bad blood between him and some of his relatives there,” said Charo Kombe, Mzee Kiboni’s son.

He is, however, reluctant to admit whether his father’s killing was related to witchcraft. “We have heard complaints from neighbours that he was a witch but that has never been proven,” said Kombe. He refused to discuss the issue further.

Kadzo Kirao, one of Mzee Kiboni’s widows, said she cannot remember what the killers  looked liked because they had dazzled her with powerful spotlights as they hacked her husband to death.

“They locked my husband inside the grass-thatched house and hacked him to death by slashing his head, torso and limbs several times. Before they left they warned that they would come back and kill me if I continued practising witchcraft like my husband,” said the visibly shaken Kadzo.

Heartrending tales

The killing of elderly people suspected to be practising witchcraft has been a matter of great social and security concern, especially in Kwale and Kilifi counties. The killings have now spilled into Taita Taveta, especially areas bordering Kilifi and Kwale counties.

Seventeen witchcraft-related killings have been reported in the county over the last three years.

A gang of killers calling itself Virondamabulu is believed to be executing the murders. There have been reports that some family members out to settle scores on issues such as land have been hiring the murder squad to kill the elders and then blame it on witchcraft.

“The Government needs to get to the bottom of these killings to save elderly people who may be targeted by members of their families and neighbours who are out to settle scores over land and property,” says Haji Mwakio, the director of Taita-Taveta Human Rights Watch.

Monicah Mwania’s case is as heartrending as Mzee Kiboni’s. Monicah’s husband James was hacked to death in a similar manner in Buguta over allegations of witchcraft.

Monicah insists her husband was not a witch but was killed because some neighbours had a long standing grudge with him because his livestock usually strayed into their land and destroyed their crops.

“Neighbours were envious of my husband because his farm was thriving. Some even complained that a Kamba could come all the way from Makindu to own land in Buguta village,” a tearful Monicah said.

“I have never known my uncle to be a witchdoctor. What I know is that neighbours were unhappy because he was doing well in farming and the issue of tribe also crept in,” said Mary Wayua, Mwania’s niece.

Harun Wakesho, 17, said his grandfather Harun Mwanyambo was brutally hacked to death by a two-man gang that vanished into the pitch black night.

“We only used to hear rumours from neighbours that my grandfather was a witch but no one has ever come out to prove it. What I know is that some close relatives had a long standing boundary dispute with Mzee and might have hired the killers,” says Wakesho.

No arrests

Another elder, Mzee Elkana Kiwoi, was killed at Mbulia village last week.

And in an apparent affirmation that the killings were targeting the elderly in Taita Taveta, deputy county commissioner Khamasi Shivogho warned that perpetrators of the murders would face the full force of the law.

“This problem has been a thorny issue in Kilifi and Kwale and now these fellows want to tarnish the name of Taita-Taveta county. We cannot allow this to happen here,” Mr Shivogho told residents at Moi Stadium in Voi during last week’s Jamhuri Day celebrations.

The administrator ordered chiefs to ensure that those committing the heinous acts were brought to justice.

He was reacting to complaints that chiefs from the affected areas were treating the killings casually and not making much efforts to track the killers.