BBC Africa Eye investigates a shocking spate of elderly people accused of witchcraft then murdered along Kenya’s Kilifi coast, and discovers the true motives behind the killings.
Seventy-four-year-old Tambala Jefwa stares vacantly out of his one remaining eye as his wife, Sidi, gently removes his shirt.
“They stabbed him with a knife like this and pulled,” she says pointing to the long scar stretching down from his collar bone.
She takes his head in her hands showing what happened in another attack. “They had to pull the scalp back and sew it together.”
Mr Jefwa was accused of being a witch and has been attacked twice in his home, 80km (50 miles) inland from the coastal town of Malindi.
The first left him without an eye. The second nearly killed him.
The couple own more than 30 acres of land where they grow maize and raise a few chickens. There has been a dispute with family members over boundaries. They believe this was the real reason Mr Jefwa was almost killed, not that people genuinely believed he was a witch.
“I was left for dead. I lost so much blood. I don’t know why they attacked me, but it can only be the land,” says Mr Jefwa. [BBC]
An Alarming Trend of Violence and Deception
The coastal region of Kilifi in Kenya has been the backdrop to a shocking series of attacks against the elderly, fueled by the terrifying accusations of witchcraft. BBC Africa Eye’s investigation uncovers the true motives behind these heinous crimes, shedding light on a disturbing reality that has long been shrouded in darkness.
The Tragic Case of Tambala Jefwa
At the heart of this crisis stands the harrowing story of 74-year-old Tambala Jefwa, a victim of these brutal attacks. Staring out with his one remaining eye, Tambala recounts the horrors he has endured, as his wife, Sidi, gently removes his shirt to reveal the scars of the violence.
The Scars of Injustice
Tambala’s ordeal began with a brutal knife attack, leaving him without an eye. The second assault nearly claimed his life, as his scalp was pulled back and stitched together. Yet, Tambala firmly believes that the real reason for these attacks was not his alleged witchcraft, but a dispute over the boundaries of the more than 30 acres of land he and his wife own, where they grow maize and raise chickens.
The Underlying Motives
As Tambala shares his story, it becomes clear that the accusations of witchcraft are mere smokescreens, concealing the true motives behind these attacks. Land disputes, jealousy, and greed appear to be the driving forces behind the violence, rather than any genuine belief in the supernatural.
Uncovering the Truth
The BBC Africa Eye investigation delves deep into this troubling phenomenon, exposing the complex web of deceit and corruption that has allowed these attacks to continue. By shedding light on the true nature of these crimes, the report aims to challenge the narrative and bring about much-needed change in the region.
A Call for Justice and Compassion
The plight of Tambala Jefwa and countless others like him serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for justice, protection, and compassion for the elderly in Kilifi. This investigation represents a crucial step in addressing the underlying issues and ensuring that the vulnerable are no longer targeted in the name of superstition and greed.
