Kanya Shafiq is a witchdoctor who has been ‘treating’ his patients from his dingy base in Eastleigh for the last 10 years.
His ‘office,’ is a tiny and smoky room with a maroon curtain and faded cream walls sporting a portrait of President Uhuru Kenyatta, city county licence and a recommendation letter. To access his office, you have to go up narrow stairs of a very old flat to the fifth floor.
His recommendation letter dated August 11, 2009, with a red seal with the words Umoja wa Waganga wa Miti Shamba (Union of Witchdoctors and Herbalists) at the bottom, partly reads: “This letter serves to introduce you to Dr Kanya Shafiq, a Ugandan national and one of our long and most experienced member. At a recent National Executive Committee meeting of Umoja wa Waganga wa Miti Shamba (EA), we resolved to award him this recommendation letter for his outstanding work.”
The father of six told The Nairobian, “I have been in the city for seven years now and in this place for three years. Initially, I operated from Westlands, but decided to move to Eastleigh.” He claims that, On daily a basis, I treat more than 10 people.
Others like Members of Parliament and other prominent personalities call me to their homes. In less than a year, I have treated four city MPs. I can’t reveal their names because they are still my clients and pay more than normal charges among other gifts.”
Kanya charges Sh3,000 and above to sort out low libido issues and not less than Sh2,000 for other problems like having stolen items returned, desertion by a spouse, love potions, attracting customers and good luck.
The man who claims his medicine is imported from Uganda and Tanzania adds: “I can also make the private parts of thieves to stick to their foreheads, their stomach to swell and even make them eat grass. I’m sure people saw the pictures doing rounds on social media of a man with swollen privates. That’s the kind of job I do.”
