Man hires witchdoctor to bewitch rivals’ supporters

By BEATRICE WAMUYU

Can one win an election by invoking the powers of darkness? In August 1983, it was claimed that an MP had sought the services of a witchdoctor to help him win that year’s election.

The witchdoctor was allegedly hosted in a house in Gatuanyaga village in Kiambu. Rumour had it that he was hired by a MP and aspiring candidate to bewitch anyone who did not vote for him. Fear gripped the whole village.

Munyu Locational Kanu Chairman David Kimani Migiri, and Koriba Sub-locational Chairman, Kiarie Kinundu appealed to the government to ease the fear.

Four other people with the same complaints called the Kenya News Agency in Kiambu to file their concerns. They also petitioned the authorities to act on the issue. It was alleged that the witchdoctor was from Coast Province.

The candidate was allegedly using a language that threatened the lives of his running mates and their supporters. Youth Wingers were deployed to hunt down the witchdoctor.  Migiri called for public cooperation.