At least 60 elderly people falsely accused of witchcraft are killed a month in Kwale and Kilifi counties, an official has said.
Malindi District Cultural Association chairman Emmanuel Munyaya said 10 alleged witches are buried every week.
“These are only the reported cases. Those people who are killed are many,” he said. Speaking to the Star on Monday at the Madca Centre, Munyaya said they are killed by greedy or spiteful relatives and neighbours.
“These wazees are either very rich or they are not loved. Some members of the family may plan to eliminate somebody if they want his or her property,” he said. He said such cases are not successful in court because there are no witnesses. Munyaya said many murderers are free.
“Because most youths are idle, they are easily lured into carrying out these killings. Someone can just send them to an elder he or she doesn’t like.
They may be given at least Sh5,000 to kill someone.” Munyaya said that 20 elderly people are living in a rescue centre in Kaya Godoma and three at Madca centre.
Madca secretary general Joseph Mwarandu, who is a lawyer, said at least 90 per cent of murder cases at the Malindi law courts involve people killed on witchcraft allegations. Mwarandu blamed the witchcraft law on the high cases of killings in the community.
