This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
On May 16, 2020, a heinous act of sexual abuse was allegedly committed in Marimanti, Tharaka South, Tharaka Nithi County. The perpetrator, James Kifo, had been on the run for five days, evading arrest by the police.
However, his attempt to seek protection charms from a witch doctor, James Murogi Maingi, at Kaningo, Tseikuru in Kitui, ultimately led to his downfall. As the witch doctor prepared to administer the charms to protect Kifo against arrest, the police burst in and apprehended him.
According to Tharaka South Police Commander Kiprop Rutto, Kifo did not put up any resistance during the arrest. "He was at a witch doctor’s, but the government machinery cannot be beaten," Rutto said.
It is alleged that Kifo had committed the heinous act on May 16, 2020, and had been hiding in Kitui County, which he thought was a safe haven. The police, however, were closing in on him, and his attempt to seek protection charms was a desperate attempt to evade justice.
