Human Rights Defenders Appeal To The public To Shun Killing elderly over Suspicion of witches
The Mt Kenya Times 
Human-Rights-defenders-during-a-peaceful-demonstration-in-Kisii-County
By Elizabeth Angira
Members of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) from various counties have appealed to Kenyans to shun killing elderly persons over suspicion they are witches and wizards.
They have also petitioned the government to take action against perpetrators of the vice to deter others with such intentions.
Led by UTU CSO coordinator, Dr Kerubo Abuya during a peaceful demonstration at Kisii County, they said old age is not a disease and challenged those perpetuating the vice to arrest the suspects and hand them over to the police for investigation and action.
Ms Kerubo, accompanied by Malindi District Cultural Association vice chairman, Stanley Kiraga noted the cases of killings of elderly persons in the county were rampant and implored youths to respect the aged persons and support them age gracefully.
“We have our brothers from Killifi who are affected with the vice and are here in solidarity to condemn last year’s incident in which four elderly women were killed in Marani sub county in Kisii county” Kerubo said.
The official noted that those who kill the aged persons on allegations they are witches have never given evidence to justify their actions, stressing it is immoral and nobody has a right to take another person’s life.
Kiraga, flanked by pastor, Joseph Ole Moboso, Obino Nyambane, Director of Culture and David Oseko, Inform Action CSO and FIDA lawyer Dennis Otieno noted that old age is not witchcraft and appealed to the Judiciary and the internal security organs to ensure that perpetrators are nabbed to deter others.
“It is wrong for people to kill others over mere suspicion. That is extra judicial killing and perpetrators and action must be taken against the perpetrators” Kiraga told the Press outside the county governor’s offices.
The year 2021, four elderly women- Rael Sigara Onkware, Agnes Moraa Ototo, Jemimah Nyang’ate Mironga and Sindege Mayaka were killed at Mbanda sub location, Marani sub county in Kisii county over alleged witchcraft.
Nine suspects; Amos Nyakundi, Chrispine Ogeto, Brian Mecha, Ronald Ombati, Jusine Morara, Hesborn Ong’ondi, Nelson Chogoro, Justine Akiya and Peter Angwenyi have since been arraigned, charged with murder and denied killing the women.
The case is still ongoing at the Kisii Law Courts.
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