Police rescue Kwale man allegedly chained for five months at witchdoctor's home

Police officers and residents rescue 22-year-old Mwatela Dela from a room where he had allegedly been chained for five months at the home of a traditional healer in Mwamanga Village, Kwale County, on Monday. The victim was later taken to hospital for medical assessment and treatment as police launched investigations into the incident./KNA

A 22-year-old man allegedly held in chains for five months at a traditional healer’s homestead in Kwale County has been rescued by police, exposing what activists say are troubling questions about the treatment of people living with mental health conditions.

The victim, identified as Mwatela Dela, was found confined in a locked room at Mwamanga Village in the Bongwe-Gombato area, with heavy chains securing him to iron bars fixed to the floor.

Police launched the rescue operation after the young man's father reported that his son was being unlawfully detained at the home of a traditional healer popularly known as Dr Baakanda.

When officers and local leaders arrived at the compound, they found the man in distressing conditions. Attempts to unlock the chains and padlocks proved unsuccessful, forcing rescuers to use a saw to cut through the restraints in an operation that lasted more than 30 minutes.

Police officers and residents rescue 22-year-old Mwatela Dela from a room where he had allegedly been chained for five months at the home of a traditional healer in Mwamanga Village, Kwale County, on Monday. The victim was later taken to hospital for medical assessment and treatment as police launched investigations into the incident. /KNA

Police officers and residents rescue 22-year-old Mwatela Dela from a room where he had allegedly been chained for five months at the home of a traditional healer in Mwamanga Village, Kwale County, on Monday. The victim was later taken to hospital for medical assessment and treatment as police launched investigations into the incident./KNA

The healer defended himself, insisting that the victim had been brought to him for treatment and that a dispute over payment had complicated the matter.

“Money for the medicine was not forthcoming. He only paid part of the agreed amount,” Baakanda said.

The victim’s father said his son developed mental health challenges last year and initially received treatment in hospital before relatives and friends advised the family to seek traditional remedies.

“We agreed on a treatment fee of Sh18,000 and brought him here in January. But whenever I asked to take my son back, I was told to pay more money,” Dela alleged.

He claimed the healer administered traditional remedies made from boiled tree bark and other herbs.

“The medicine was prepared from herbs and tree branches. He would boil them and expose the patient to the smoke,” he said.

The rescue operation also raised fresh concerns after several other individuals believed to be undergoing treatment were seen within the compound.

Human rights activist Evans Momanyi called for a broader investigation into the welfare of those being kept at the facility.

“People suffering from mental illness should receive treatment in recognised health facilities under the care of trained medical professionals. What we have witnessed here raises serious concerns,” Momanyi said.

Police confirmed that the traditional healer and the victim’s mother had been arrested as investigations continue.

The rescued man was taken to hospital for medical assessment and further treatment.

Kwale police said investigators are seeking to establish the circumstances under which the man was detained and whether any laws relating to unlawful confinement or abuse may have been violated.