Gaturi village in Murang’a County is feared for rampant witchcraft.
For years, the locals never looked for a suitor from there.
The many wizardry cases in Gaturi has been linked to ‘ dangerous’ trees that killed humans and animals making people believe the area is a hotbed of witchcraft.
But, residents now claim people loathe the area for no good reason.
Joseph Kariuki, a resident, says a girl she once dated in Nairobi called off the relationship after learning he hailed from Gaturi village. The same has been for many young girls from there who prefer not to associate themselves with their village lest they be shunned. In the 1970s and 80s Gaturi was so feared that it was baptized Gaturi Poisons Industry (GPI).
READ MORE
Committee established to stop killing of elderly in Kilifi
Murang'a County banks on telemedicine to boost healthcare
Residents storm Gachocho police post, kill murder suspect
Kilifi villages where old age is worn as a badge of fear over witch claims
Some residents, however, say the ‘stereotype’ has been a blessing in disguise.
“Some criminals will not dare touch your property if they know you are from Gaturi. We don’t have many crime cases as compared to other areas in this region,” says Kariuki.
Last September, residents discovered a pot near Mathioya River with human hair, dozen eggs and fingernails. But Samsom Mwangi, 74, says the area is feared.
“Like any other village Gaturi had such wizards but deaths from some poisonous trees claimed lives. People didn’t understand the cause of the deaths, they labelled this area Gaturi ka Urogi (Gaturi place of wizards)” says Mwangi, a Kikuyu elder.
