This archive report was first published on 22 August 2020.
On September 29, 2014, a shocking incident occurred at an Okoa Kenya rally in Kwale, where a middle-aged man, Lengo Karisa, caned ODM leader Raila Odinga while he was dancing with women.
According to Karisa, he was not in his right mind that day and was possessed by an evil spirit that drove him to whip one of Kenya's senior-most politicians.
Speaking from his hideout in Kilifi, where he has been in hiding for the last six years, Karisa explained that he had just returned from Tanzania, where he had been living and working for 32 years.
He claimed that he found himself next to Raila, who was shaking a leg with local traditional women dancers, and without any provocation, he whipped Raila on the back.
Karisa dismissed speculation that he attacked Raila because he was dancing with his woman or that he had not received handouts that are usually palmed out to wanachi at political rallies.
He also denied claims that he was sent by enemies of ODM to spoil the rally, saying, 'Rumours that I hit Raila because he danced with my woman or because I was not given money are false. I was not sent to disrupt the rally.'
Karisa told The Nairobian that on that day, he experienced a serious headache that made him dizzy and that all he remembers is waking up in police custody.
He said, 'I don’t know what came over me. I was not in the right state of mind. The earth was spinning under me. It was like I was possessed by some evil spirits. All I remember was feeling dizzy and then waking up in a police cell.'
After the incident, Karisa woke up in a police station and was later arraigned in court, but he was released when Raila and Mvurya forgave him and refused to press charges.
He has been living in hiding ever since, as Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) whisked him away after angry ODM supporters tried to beat him up.
Karisa said that his life has been tough because even his own kin denounced him for 'bringing shame to the family', and he is mocked by friends and kin who believe his actions were triggered by drinking and smoking bhang.
He wants to meet Raila and shake his hand as a gesture that he has been forgiven, so that he can live without fear of being 'disciplined' by Raila supporters.
Karisa also shared that he has not yet married because he has no money and Kenya is expensive, and he is yet to find a beautiful woman.
