Two thieves at Kabati market in Kitui county on Thursday allegedly returned household goods they had stolen after the owner consulted a witchdoctor who cast a spell on them.
The two shocked residents when they went to the market, carrying the stolen goods - a TV set, gas cylinder and mattress - on top of their heads.
The goods were allegedly glued to their heads.
The thieves looked confused and did not respond to questions from residents.
The unfolding drama attracted a crowd.
As if under some 'magnetic power', the duo walked to the witchdoctor’s work station, where he allegedly cast a different spell to set them free.
The alleged witchdoctor, who goes by the name Mama Zawadi, from Western Kenyan said the complainant approached her to recover his stolen goods. She said her first assignment was to cast a spell that would stop the thieves from selling the stolen items and then deliver them to her.
“I work closely with the police because people are always agitated and want to harm those who have wronged them. My work ends after I hand over the criminals to the police,” she said.
A section of the crowd threatened to lynch the duo, but police officers from Ndolos police station rescued them.
The pair was then put inside a police truck and the driver sped off in the direction of the police station.
Joshua Mumo, from Katutu area whose house was broken into while he was away in Makueni county to visit a relative, said he was happy to have gotten back his property.
He said he will pursue the matter to ensure the two are punished.
“I actually made a report to the police after I found my house had been broken into. But I also sought other ways of punishing the criminals. I am relieved that I now know them and have my property back,” Mumo said.
Kabati residents complained that cases of burglary were spiraling out of control, but noted that the incident would serve as a lesson to other would be criminals. Some said the use of supernatural powers to ‘arrest’ criminals was 'complementing' the work of the police in enhancing security.
“It is sad to see such young and energetic men refusing to work and resorting to petty acts of theft. Let it be a lesson to others that they will not get away with their criminal ways,” said Purity Maangi, a resident.
“If there is an alternative way of exposing and arresting criminals other than using the police then I support it. Sometimes when you report to the police it takes forever as police investigate,” noted Benjamin Kanini, a shopkeeper.
Edited by CM
