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One More Person Killed in Kisii Witch-Hunt
- Details
- Published on Monday, 16 July 2007 22:39
The latest victim, who was identified as Onsembe Nyamari, was attacked in Keumbu village. Nyamari died at Kisii District Hospital from injuries sustained in the attack linked to the lynching of suspected witches and the killing of a councillor at the weekend.
Hosea Mosomi, whose father, Francis Mosomi, was lynched by a mob in the latest wave of witch-hunts in Kisii District, collects utensils from their burnt house on Tuesday. Pic by Titus Munala
Kisii deputy police boss Chemonges Ndiema said three houses were torched at Amabiria village after villagers raided three homesteads to flush out suspected witches. Relatives of the victims accused police of apathy. Police were sent to the affected areas Wednesday morning to restore calm.
Meanwhile, leaders differed over the rising lawlessness and demanded prompt action from the Government.
Kitutu Masaba MP Mwancha Okioma blamed police, saying residents were merely defending themselves from criminals. The Ford-People MP, who spoke to The Standard on telephone, said residents felt helpless in the hands of the thugs.
"Thugs are released either by police or courts and they threaten those they suspect reported them to the law enforcers," said Okioma.
The MP demanded investigations into the source of guns being used in the robberies. Kisii mayor Stephen Omurwa urged the public to stop killing suspects. "We cannot eliminate evildoers through evil means. Taking away a human being's life, no matter the reason, is evil," said Fr Jeremiah Nyakundi of the Kisii Town Parish.
Mayor Omurwa said mob action was likely to claim innocent lives."Chances are political opponents will hire thugs to eliminate opponents under the guise of sorcery," warned the mayor.There was a standoff in Nyamokenye ward between residents and the relatives of the slain councilor, Livingstone Omoke, over his burial. Villagers have vowed not to allow their civic leader to be buried there.
The Kisii District Security Committee led by the District Commissioner Abdulahi Leloon denied that Omoke's death sparked the latest killings and lawlessness.
"It is not true that the latest insecurity is as a result of Omoke's killing. They are coincidental," said the DC.
