Love potion causes grief to a village icon

By Edwin Makiche

A smartly dressed lunatic is a common sight at a shopping centre in Bomet District. His name translates in English to 'Chopper'.

Except for his marked hatred for women and people wearing red outfits, the man is a sweetheart to everyone and is often to be found in a tea kiosk talking politics with friends over a cup of tea. He doesn’t pick rubbish, sing funny songs or draw maps on the road with his toes as any other lunatic would. He calls everyone Afande and salutes as any military officer would.

At first you might consider him quite normal until he begins talking in ‘tongues’ about his imaginary exploits with the high and mighty, his brief morning meetings with God or his dinner date with President Barack Obama. Then you begin to doubt his sanity. But woe unto you if you oppose what he says for the ex-military officer is known to use martial arts to ‘discipline’ his tormentors.

Only five years ago ‘Chopper’ was not like this. Those who know him say he was a respected military officer, an accomplished athlete and a committed Christian. His prowess in athletics had earned him promotions in the military and he was reputed to be sharp. He was a star in his home area and villagers heaped praises on him, children adored him and women fought over him. That is where things went wrong — women.

Chopper’s achievements swept many a woman off her feet and they wanted to be associated with him. Many balled over him.

Wealth and fame had got into the man’s head, and he would be seen with different women in his car. He was also generous and anyone who went out with him didn’t come away empty handed.

Yellow fever

His colleagues in the military say his problems began with his association with a woman from Eastern Province. The woman had sworn on several occasions that she could do anything to win him over, even if it meant killing.

His colleagues say that one day he went into her quarters and he came out a different man. Then Chopper began being harsh and rebellious. He broke all the utensils in his house and drove dangerously. Since the Yellow Fever epidemic was rife in the country at the time, colleagues thought he had been infected. But when he was taken to hospital, the doctor advised them to consult a traditional witchdoctor instead.

That was when he was banished to his village. He began by dismantling his house before setting it ablaze. The villagers took their ailing son to a witchdoctor who is believed to cast out evil spirits. The witch doctor said that the love potion the man had been given was strong. He could try and treat him but full recovery was out of question.