State told to arrest chiefs ‘administering concoction’ in West Pokot

By Wilberforce Netya

West Pokot, Kenya: Residents in Cheparten and Kapsanga of West Pokot County have protested against an order from a chief and his assistant to drink concoctions to fight witchcraft.

The residents, led by the Chairman of Pastors’ Network in the county, Reverend Ronald Chumum, said the administrators were moving from door-to-door and forcing residents to drink the concoction, which is said to help in the identification of witchcraft.

He said the administrators have been supervising the illegal exercise, with the help of some village elders, for the last one week.

Chumum added that the administrators had enlisted the help of about 10 armed Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) to reinforce their orders.

“We want the administrators to be arrested and charged for forcing residents to take the unknown concoction. Pastors and their families are the most targeted,” he said.

Chumum, who is a pastor at Evangelical Fellowship Church in the area, said they reported the matter to the deputy county commissioner but no action had been taken so far.

Confiscate portion

Speaking after recording another statement at the Kapenguria Police Station, Rev Chumum called on the authorities to take stern action against the administrators, who he said had infringed on the rights of locals.

“No one knows what this concoction is and whether it is harmful to those who have already consumed it. We want the Government to confiscate it and have it tested,” demanded Chumum.

West Pokot County Commander of Police Charles Wasike said police had launched an investigation into the claims.

The exercise is said to have been prompted by widespread witchcraft and comes barely a week after a couple in the area was lynched by a gang.