A Kilifi court has sentenced a father and his son to one year in prison each after they pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman based on the false belief that she had caused the son's genitals to disappear through witchcraft.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Benson Ngala Daniel, 49, and his 19-year-old son, Ruphus Chai Ngala, admitted to assault causing actual bodily harm following an incident that occurred on July 5 in Mdangarani Village, Kauma Sub-county, Kilifi County. According to court proceedings, Ruphus claimed his genitals had disappeared after greeting Asha Samini, who was walking home from her farm. He alleged that the woman, who was wearing a Muslim robe, had bewitched him.
The court heard that Ruphus immediately called his father, who rushed to the scene and joined him in assaulting the woman while accusing her of causing the alleged disappearance. Their actions attracted a crowd, which also attacked the victim before members of the public intervened and rescued her. Both the victim and the accused were later taken to Jaribuni Police Post.
Police investigations later established that the allegations were false after Ruphus underwent a medical examination at Jaribuni Dispensary, where a doctor confirmed that his genitals were intact and functioning normally. The victim was treated at Kilifi County Hospital and issued with a P3 form documenting the injuries she sustained during the assault.
During sentencing, the prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent punishment, noting that mob attacks linked to allegations of witchcraft have become increasingly common along the Coast and have resulted in deaths, injuries and destruction of property. In delivering her ruling, the magistrate condemned the accused for promoting a dangerous false narrative that placed the complainant's life at risk and stressed the need to discourage mob justice. The court also directed that the victim continue receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support from the Department of Gender.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Benson Ngala Daniel, 49, and his 19-year-old son, Ruphus Chai Ngala, admitted to assault causing actual bodily harm following an incident that occurred on July 5 in Mdangarani Village, Kauma Sub-county, Kilifi County. According to court proceedings, Ruphus claimed his genitals had disappeared after greeting Asha Samini, who was walking home from her farm. He alleged that the woman, who was wearing a Muslim robe, had bewitched him.
The court heard that Ruphus immediately called his father, who rushed to the scene and joined him in assaulting the woman while accusing her of causing the alleged disappearance. Their actions attracted a crowd, which also attacked the victim before members of the public intervened and rescued her. Both the victim and the accused were later taken to Jaribuni Police Post.
Police investigations later established that the allegations were false after Ruphus underwent a medical examination at Jaribuni Dispensary, where a doctor confirmed that his genitals were intact and functioning normally. The victim was treated at Kilifi County Hospital and issued with a P3 form documenting the injuries she sustained during the assault.
During sentencing, the prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent punishment, noting that mob attacks linked to allegations of witchcraft have become increasingly common along the Coast and have resulted in deaths, injuries and destruction of property. In delivering her ruling, the magistrate condemned the accused for promoting a dangerous false narrative that placed the complainant's life at risk and stressed the need to discourage mob justice. The court also directed that the victim continue receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support from the Department of Gender.