Trans Nzoia county commissioner Anne Gakuria, has warned fake pastors who have inhabited the region and are cheating residents that some of the old men in the region are witch doctors.
The top security team from West Pokot and Trans Nzoia counties asked residents living along the border of the two counties to stay in peace and not allow cases of witchcraft to distort peace that they are currently enjoying.
“We are living in a civilized world and we should not accept to be cheated by fake pastors who want to distort peace that we have enjoyed for many years,” Anne Gakuria said.
This comes after an old man from Loyapong village along the border was hacked to death by residents after it was suspected that he was a witch doctor.
Many old persons along the border are living in fear after the fake pastor mentioned them to the public to be practicing witchcraft.
Speaking during a public baraza in the village, 70 years old woman Cheposangar Tomadany said she is living in fear after the pastor mentioned her to be practicing witchcraft.
“Residents have been questioning my grandchildren on my moves. I guess they want to establish if it’s true so that they can kill me,” said a tearful Tomadany.
West Pokot county commandant Mathews Kuto said they have launched a man hunt for the fake pastor who is risking lives of innocent residents.
“The pastor has gone into hiding but the police are pursuing him,” he said.
Kuto asked residents not to take law in their hands but report the cases to the authority so that those involved can be arrested and prosecuted.
“Our constitution clearly stipulates how we can deal with these cases. Let’s not risk lives of the whole community,” he said.
He assured residents that those who killed the old man will be arrested to serve as a lesson to others who want to terminate lives f innocent Kenyans.
“Everybody has a right to live and we should take the advantage of fake pastor’s message to execute people,” he said.
Residents of West Pokot and Trans Nzoia counties initially engaged in cattle rustling and this forced many residents to move from their farms for their own safety.
For the past ten years residents have been staying in peace and most of them have settled back and are now engaging in meaningful agricultural activities like maize farming.