Kilifi vendor lynched by angry mob over witchcraft allegations

According to Rabai Police Station DCIO Chief Inspector Simon Mitau, the incident was reported at Mazeras Police Station. The victim was identified as Jaka Chiboga Dzongo, a local vendor who sold wooden cooking sticks.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident began when three men, identified as Hafidh Ali, Juma Matano and Emmanuel Gambo, confronted Dzongo, accusing him of practising witchcraft against Hafidh Ali. The suspects allegedly claimed that Dzongo had caused Ali's private parts to disappear.

Following the bizarre allegations, an angry crowd gathered and turned hostile. The mob allegedly placed vehicle tyres around the victim before setting him ablaze in broad daylight.

Police officers and DCI detectives from Rabai rushed to the scene after receiving a report from the area chief.

Investigators documented the scene and recovered a blue bag containing six wooden cooking sticks believed to belong to the deceased.

The body, which was burnt beyond recognition, was moved to the Coast General Hospital Mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

Police have since arrested Ali, Matano and Gambo. They are currently being held in police custody pending arraignment as investigations continue.