Marsabit: Alarm raised as women attacked over witchcraft claims

Police in Marsabit County are investigating an incident in which a woman was killed over allegations of practicing witchcraft in Kargi village.

Margret Aleya was brutally attacked and beaten to death on February 18, 2024, by a group of morans allegedly instructed by elders from the Rendile community.

According to residents, the attacks are believed to have been instigated by the pronouncement of a traditional medicine man who was invited to the Rongumo clan to identify witches in the Manyatta.

The medicineman reportedly gave a list of women, accusing them of diabolic practices, leading to Aleya’s tragic assault.

This incident comes a week after another woman named Wareheya Sahado was attacked by the morans, claiming she was a witch.

Sahado was brutally beaten and had to seek specialized medical care at a nearby hospital.

Margret Super, a human rights activist, warned that more women are likely to be attacked and killed if action is not taken.

“We do not know the number of women on that list by the medicine man, and we fear that more women will be targeted for assault and murder just like Aleya,” said Margret.

According to Jane Meriwas, the executive director of Samburu Women Trust, Aleya’s attack is one of many unreported cases where perpetrators walk unpunished.

“We are concerned that this is a purely femicide issue because it is only women who are accused and targeted for alleged witchcraft,” said Meriwas.

Meriwas added, “the morans will come for the woman who survived the attack or even target other women.”