KILIFI, Kenya, Oct 31 – Police in Mkondoni area within Kilifi county have warned against the wave of killings elderly people suspected to be practicing witchcraft in the society.
It has long been the brutal and archaic way of administering ‘justice’ to those perceived to be practicing or even suspected be associated with sources of witchcraft.
A marauding gang in parts of Kilifi county in recent years however is said to be targeting the elderly, brutally hacking them to death under a misguiding notion that their suffering, allegedly brought about by evil will be alleviated from the society.
During a meeting of the county’s security committee led by Kilifi County Commissioner Kutswa Olaka, Mkondoni area is now on red alert over such killings.
“It is quite unfortunate that our elderly are being targeted and killed by rogue elements in society. We can not allow such barbaric acts to go unpunished.” Kutswa Olaka, Kilifi County Commissioner.
Police officers in the area have now been tasked to track down a gang suspected to be authorizing and undertaking the killings in the area.
It is believed that the gang is simply targeting any elderly person with grey hair, often living by themselves or even with their families.
They are then hacked to death using a machete under a misinformed belief that by spilling their blood their hold on the society will be lifted.
Several elderly people in the area have already fled their homes in fear that they will be targeted.
Police reports meanwhile indicate that in some instances relatives also collude with the marauding gangs.
“The community must be in the forefront of combating and ending these brutal killings. Let us protect our elderly.” Said Olaka.
Last year, an elderly sister of a Kilifi based politician was hacked to death at her home after she was suspected of practicing witchcraft.
Similar killings have also been reported in parts of Kisii County.
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