Migori residents skip burial of six lynched in revenge 'witchcraft' attack

Nyangau villagers in Rongo sub county skipped the mass burial of six people who were lynched in a homestead of a man said to practise witchcraft.

Rongo deputy police boss Boaz Magabi said Friday's funeral was boycotted by most villagers for fear of being arrested by police who are still investigating the crime.

Magabi told the press in his office that since the incident, officers have maintained patrols in the village were tension remains high as residents fear revenge attacks on persons suspected of practising witchcraft.

“We are not arresting anybody in the village, but we are keen on arresting those who were responsible for the deaths and those who prevented police from accessing the scene to rescue the victims,” he said.

Read: Six killed in Rongo home blaze as ‘cursed villager’ is avenged

The police boss said they have managed to arrest several suspects from the area, while those who managed to escape are being hunted down.

Already nine suspects; Lucas Nyandiga, John Onyango, Ben Omondi, John Odeka, Joseph Ojowi, Mary Scholastica Auma, Bernard Ochieng Odira, Bernard Odek Nyagwara and Colince Odhiambo have been arraigned at the Migori High Court over the incident.

They all appeared before Principal Magistrate Moses Obiero, but did not take any plea.

They were taken back to the remand for 14 days as police conclude their investigations.

Police on Thursday remained on high alert as the bodies were transferred Rosewood mortuary in Rongo town to the village ahead of Friday's burial.