Kenyan witch-hunt targets elders

Dozens of villagers in the Kenyan district of Kisii are falling prey to superstitious groups accusing them of witchcraft.

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The poverty-stricken western district, known as Kenya’s sorcery belt, has seen an increase in mob attacks on individuals and even killings.

The poor and elderly in particular are being targeted.

Three months ago, a group of youths tortured five suspected witches before setting them on fire.
[...]

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Adow, reporting from Kisii, says witchcraft remains deeply rooted within the community despite the brutal killings.

“Every ailment, misfortune or trouble is blamed on sorcery. Some say even success here is attributed to witchcraft,” he says.

“Lobby groups for the elderly have set up shop here to try and stop the targeting of senior citizens, spreading the message that burning of suspected witches is not an answer to sorcery.”
[...more...]

See Also

• Witches — real or not — persecuted and prosecuted
• Killing of women, child “witches” on rise, U.N. told

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