A person living with albinism in Hamisi, Vihiga county, was attacked last week by people who wanted to sell his body parts in Tanzania.
Enock Jamenya, 56, was attacked by three people armed with pangas at his home in Gavudunyi village on Thursday night, asking for money.
“When I told them I did not have any money, they asked for my ear or hand to sell to Tanzania,” he said at Vihiga District Hospital on Friday morning.
A struggle ensued and the attackers sliced his left ear, arm, neck and fingers and left him unconscious.
His brother Nickson Lugadiru said Jamenya was found in that state by his son, who called for help.
“The house was in a mess. My brother is a well-built person but he was overpowered by the attackers,” he said.
Lugadiru took Jamenya to Hamisi Subcounty Hospital, where he was referred to Vihiga.
The jua kali artisan was operated on for three hours.
Medics said Jamenya is out of danger.
The attack has rekindled concerns over the security of people living with albinism ahead of Tanzania’s October elections.
“The attackers wanted my brother’s body parts to sell to Tanzania,” said Lugadiru, who is also an albino.
There are four albinos in their family.
The national coordinator of Albinism Empowerment Network, Martin Wanyonyi, visited Jamenya at the hospital and condemned the attack.
“We are telling the government to provide security to all albinos,” said the Bungoma nominated MCA, who is also an albino.
Wanyonyi said Tanzania has strict laws to protect albinos and, hence, Kenya has become a soft target.
“We want to tell witchdoctors that no part of our body can be used for any of their activities,” he said.
Wanyonyi said if the attackers are not apprehended in 48 hours, his network will take to the streets in protest.
