Kenyans accused of witchcraft then murdered for land in Kilifi

A Kenyan coastal region has been plagued by a series of murders, with the perpetrators claiming that their victims are practicing witchcraft. However, the underlying motive behind these brutal killings is actually a dispute over land. In recent years, the Kilifi County in Kenya has witnessed a disturbing rise in violence targeted at individuals accused of witchcraft. These victims, predominantly elderly women, are brutally murdered in cold blood. While the surface-level reasoning for these atrocities may appear to be rooted in superstition and the belief in witchcraft, experts argue that the true catalyst behind these heinous acts is the desire to seize land. In many traditional African societies, land ownership is intricately tied to power, wealth, and social status. As such, disputes over land are not uncommon. However, what sets apart the situation in Kilifi County is the extreme and violent manner in which these conflicts are being resolved. Rather than pursuing legal channels, some individuals have resorted to vigilante justice, blaming innocent people for their land-related grievances. One particular case that highlights this disturbing trend is the murder of Mama Fumbe. Fumbe, an elderly woman, was accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequently killed by a mob. However, investigations later revealed that her murder was actually driven by a land dispute. Fumbe had been living on desirable coastal land, and her assailants sought to forcefully acquire the property. Tragically, her only crime was being in possession of a piece of land that others coveted. The