Where witch-doctors refer clients to hospitals

Jacinta Kanini, has been a witch doctor for the last 22 years having practised both in Kitui and Makueni Counties. [Stephen Nzioka, Standard] 

Many Kenyans have for donkey years relied on traditional healers among them witch-doctors, intercessors and herbalists for treatment of disorders and diseases despite the existence of modern medicine, drugs, specialists and all.

It is common to come across posters plastered on electric posts, walls or nailed on trees advertising their services. The services listed include; reclaiming lost vitality, casting out demons, glueing up unfaithful spouses, treating cancer and diabetes besides the right antidote for ‘wasiwasi kazini’ (workplace anxiety).

The above ‘services’ are so common in lower Eastern counties like Kitui and Makueni. As a result, the Makueni health department decided to incorporate traditional healers with modern medicine. This has seen a marked increase in the number of patients being referred from witchdoctors who receive clients with ailments like cancer, diabetes, depression and TB, which are not related to spiritual or evil causations.