Five people killed in Nyanga'o village over witchcraft claims laid to rest

Villagers gather at the home of Elijah Dwalo during the mass burial of five relatives killed last week over witchcraft claims. (Caleb Kingwara, Standard)

Five members of a family who were killed last week over witchcraft claims were yesterday buried without any form of ceremony.

The bodies of Martha Amolo, 80, her daughter in-law Helida Akinyi, 40, and Helida’s three children left Homa Bay County Hospital mortuary and headed straight to the burial site without speeches from family members.

The five were burnt to death on March 1 after angry villagers stormed their home in Nyang’ao village, Rongo in Migori County, and set ablaze five houses. 

The villagers accused Amolo and her husband Elijah Dwalo of bewitching one of them, Joel Awuonda, who also died later that day. Dwalo and three other members of his family escaped the arson attack, but the old man sustained panga cut wounds. Witness accounts have it that in December last year, Awuonda was attacked with a machete by Dwalo’s son, only identified as Omondi. The assault earned Omondi a 12-year jail term. When the case ended, Dwalo reportedly warned that Awuonda would not last to the end of February this year.

Angry villagers

“So when he (Awuonda) fell ill on February 28, we knew it was the spell taking effect. We took him to Martha to undo the spell but she declined, saying it was a consequence of her son’s jail term,” said Mary Atieno, Awuonda’s relative.

Atieno said when they went back home, angry villagers gathered and stormed Dwalo’s home.

“We do not know how it degenerated into violence but when they stormed the compound, some of the family members fled and the next moment, five houses were on fire,” she said.

Atieno said when they returned home, they found Awuonda dead.

Speaking after burial yesterday, Rongo police boss Kibet Kirui said nine people had been arraigned in court over the attack.

“We are still pursuing others who might have been involved in the attack and soon they will be arrested,” said Kirui.

Acharo Ouma, a village elder, said they suspected it was witchcraft that led to Awuonda’s death. He said the man’s health deteriorated and he quickly grew weak and frail.