Last month Deputy President William Ruto revealed that some politicians use witchcraft to survive politically.
Ruto was in Kwale to launch Duruma Bible when he remarked that some leaders had marks on their bodies that had the whiff of a witchdoctor’s scalpel.
Further, Ruto stated that he had interacted with politicians from Coast who had crossed into Tanzania to get “covert powers” from witchdoctors.
“Most politicians’ bodies have been rubbed with ashes or concoctions from various things. Most of them have travelled to Tanzania and Unguja to get the help of witchdoctors,” said Ruto.
Investigations by Nairobi publication (Nairobian) some senior politicians in Kenya have started seeking the services of witchdoctors so as to help them trounce their rivals ahead of party nominations in preparation for the August 9 elections.
Sabil Abdul, a Tanzanian -born Mganga who operates in Nairobi and Mombasa, said hundreds of politicians have booked him for treatment.
“This campaign period is always busy for us. In my case, I have been receiving many calls from Kenyan politicians who want my services,” told the publication
Abdul says he charges between Sh50,000 and Sh1 million depending on the seat a politician is eyeing and that he administers his medicine in the wee hours of the night.
“Some of those who have called me are those vying for parliamentary seats or gubernatorial seats. But the majority are those seeking to be MPs,” he said
He says, once the client pays for the ‘treatment fee’, he uses the cash to buy stuff for the rituals, adding that some herbs are “imported” from Tanzania.
“The treatment is my secret, but I give them some herbs which they put in their bath water to ensure that luck follows them to election day.
“Before the treatment begins, I explain everything to them because one’s faith and belief in the supernatural matters. Those who lose elections understand the rules,” Abdul said.
A witchdoctor based in Pangani, told the publication that just like other election years, her in-tray is full.
“They (politicians) have reached out to me and some have visited my house. Unlike other waganga, I don’t force them to undergo strange rituals. I only provide them with charms that will give them a following,” Kipini said
Some of the juju paraphernalia she hands politicians are rings, chains and oils which she sells at between Sh5,000 and Sh50,000 depending on the political seat one is eyeing.