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Lunga Lunga locals alarmed over renewed gang killings of elders on witchcraft claims

Saidi Rhumba, a relative to Nyamawi Rhumba who was murdered in February at Dzombo village. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | Saturday, June 1, 2024

According to his family, Katembe was attacked and killed by a group of unknown assailants while taking a bath behind his house in Mahuruni village.

Locals in Lunga Lunga, Kwale County, have raised an alarm over the re-emergence of a gang killing senior citizens over witchcraft accusations. This follows the brutal murder of 64-year-old Tungwa Katembe outside his home Friday evening.

According to his family, Katembe was attacked and killed by a group of unknown assailants while taking a bath behind his house in Mahuruni village.

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This incident brings the total number of elderly deaths in Lunga Lunga sub-county to three since the beginning of the year. Other victims include Mohamed Nyamawi Rumba from Dzombo ward and Mwanapili, 85, who was strangled by his grandson in Mwarutsa village.

Elders, traditionally revered for their wisdom and guidance, are now viewed with suspicion in Kwale. This disturbing trend has also been noted in Lamu and Kilifi, where many senior citizens have been targeted by youths seeking quick wealth.

In 2023, the government constructed a shelter to protect elderly citizens. Despite this, the killings persist. Nyawa Katembe, the deceased's wife, recounted the chilling incident. "When we arrived, we found him lying in a pool of blood. Some neighbours claimed to have seen two people fleeing."

Selina Mnyavu, resident of Mahuruni village in Lunga Lunga where Tungwa Katembe was murdered on Friday. She wants the government to intervene to protect elders. Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Lunga Lunga OCPD Peter Nzimbi confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation into the motive behind the murder is ongoing. The victim was found with deep cuts on the back of his head. The body was taken to the Msambweni County Referral Hospital morgue awaiting a post-mortem examination.

"We have already launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the murder. We are also warning those who conduct these attacks," said OCPD Nzimbi. He attributed the killings to greed for quick wealth among young people, often involving land and inheritance disputes.

"The majority of murder cases involve land and inheritance disputes," said Nzimbi, noting that youths often plot to have their ageing parents or great-grandparents killed to seize their property.

Neighbours expressed concern that the trend of killings, which had subsided in 2022 after government interventions, is now resurfacing. The previous wave of killings had forced many elderly residents to flee their homes in fear for their lives.

According to police, Kinango, Lunga Lunga, and Matuga sub-counties are the hardest hit by this violence.

Statistics from Haki Yetu, a human rights group, indicate that about 390 elders were killed annually between 2012 and mid-2022. The group suggested that the actual number could be higher, as some cases were not documented.