Drama unfolded at Epuche village Mwibona Ward in Vihiga County after parents, villagers and pupils torched a family’s houses in the area, suspected to be practising witchcraft. The incident started when pupils from nearby Ebusyubi primary school kickstarted demonstrations and descended on the houses of the family, leading to massive destruction of property.
The pupils were later joined by their parents and villagers who set ablaze three houses and killed all the livestock in the homestead. Police intervened and saved the panic-stricken family.
Residents who spoke to the press accused them, led by the family man, of sending evil spirits to disturb their children while at school. They said when they attack their children, they chant the name of the man. “We accuse the man of bewitching our children by sending them evil spirits which disturb them while in school. The evil spirits strangle our children and the children cry out the name of the man whom the mob has destroyed his houses,” said the residents who declined to be named.
In mitigation, the man who identified himself as Isaiah Kutai termed the incidence as arson, and his family is being targeted. He said the people who attacked his family and destroyed property were envious of his development and progress in life.
He said he has noted the perpetrators and he’ll take them to court.
Police officers said they are investigating the incident and those who’ll be implicated will be treated as criminals. The incident happened barely a few days after villagers in Sabatia sub-county in Vihiga county lynched women suspected to be witches.
