Two women lynched in Nyamokenye village, Nyamira on suspicion of practising witchcraft

Police keep guard at one of the eight homesteads that have been set ablaze at Nyamokenye village in Nyamira County this eveining. PHOTO: COURTESY

Two elderly women have been burnt beyond recognation in Nyamokenye village, West Mugirango Counstituency Nyamira County on suspicion of practising withcraft.

Pauline Marinda Mogambi 95 and her daughter Rose Mogambi 53 were lynched by irate villagers on Saturday eveining.

Eight homes of suspected witches have also been set ablaze.

Those killed were cornered in their homes and immediately set ablaze without any questioning.

The 95 year old Marinda was seated outside her house when her attackers struck. They set her ablaze using petrol.

Confirming the incident Nyamira OCPD Rico Ngare said police have been deployed in the area.

Police were forced to shot in the air to avoid further arson by the villagers who were using motorbikes.

"We are warning residents not to take the law onto their hands. Some of those killed might even be innocent. This kind of mob justice is primitive and illegal," said Ngare.

He added:" We will do everything possiable to arrest the suspects. We will not bend the law."

A combined team of Kenya police and Admnistration police officers have been deployed to the area to carry out night long patrols.

"We are warning residents not to take the law onto their hands. Some of those killed might even be innocent. This kind of mob justice is primitive and illegal," said Ngare. PHOTO: STANDARD

The burning of the elderly in the Gusii community has become commong in the recent years with authorities saying this could be due to family conflicts that raise due to diminishing land sizes.

Polygamy has also been a major concern where families, in most cases disagree over subdivision of land among step brothers.

In most cases suspects are never arrested and in cases where such matters end up in court, witnesses never appear in court with affected families opting to stay away from their ancestral homes for fear of victimisation.