A family in Chepkoriniswo village, Pokot South Sub County is crying for justice after a 85 year old man was lynched after being accused of witchcraft.
The old man Lomaingole Plogon was stoned and burned to death last weekend by a mob on Chepkoriniswo Market .
It’s alleged that the mob was incited by a powerful and influential civil servant from the area.
Led by the granddaughter Michelle Chepkus, the family has demanded for the arrest of those involved in the killing.
“We want the perpetrators of the crime arrested because we know them and they are still walking freely,” she said.
Chepkus said that more than thirty people came at their home and took away their grandfather, lifted him on a tractor of a neighbor and went with him up to the Market where they beat and set fire on him till he died.
“The people tied him and lit fire burning him to death,” said Chepkus.
The granddaughter revealed that the mob accused the old man of having bewitched a young man who died recently over land wrangles.
The daughter in law of the deceased Monica Isaac, said the family was threatened by the mob.
“We know some people have been accusing the old man for acquiring land wrongly yet he has the title deed,”said Monicah.
Justice and Peace Centre Kitale, a non-governmental organization has condemned the act and asked the police officers to conduct quick and thorough investigations to identify the perpetrators.
Justice and Peace, West Pokot Project officer Rofina Chepkiach who visited the scene said the incidents of people burning people suspected to be witchcraft in the area have been rampant.
West Pokot county administration police commandant Julius Kimeu confirmed the incident saying the administration police officer at Chepareria were notified and immediately rushed to the scene of crime but unfortunately when they arrived the mob disappeared.
Kimeu said incidents of residents torturing innocent residents have been on the increase in the area and asked residents to avoid taking law in their hands.
A post-mortem was conducted at West Pokot County Referral Hospital in Kapenguria, to establish the really cause of the death and the report is not yet out.
