Is witchcraft, the practice of magical skills, spells, and abilities real? While Witchcraft was made a punishable offense under a Colonial-era ordinance that was revised in 1981. According to Kenyan law, causing “fear, annoyance, or injury to another in mind, person, or property” through witchcraft is an offense punishable by up to five years in prison.
However, Kenyans don’t often take these people they deem witches to court, instead, going on to perform “Witch Killing” Ceremonies that involve burning the suspected witches alive.
Such is the case of an unsettling video that has surfaced online where a suspected woman was set ablaze by villagers.
Wueh. pic.twitter.com/3RcJR1pXhy
— 67 (@derroh_) November 3, 2020
According to a story by Quartz, “In coastal Kenya, harsh conditions coincide with an onslaught of attacks on elderly people—many of them under allegations of practicing witchcraft. Experts believe the violence is a way to preserve food resources for younger, more productive community members.”
“The practice is rampant,” says Alexander Makau, the police chief for Kilifi County, along the Indian Ocean. At least 22 people in Kilifi County reported being attacked after facing accusations of witchcraft in 2015, and 104 were reportedly murdered in 2014.” The article states.
