A Kilifi court has sentenced a father and his son to one year in prison each for attacking a woman they wrongly accused of making the son’s genitals disappear through witchcraft, in a case that has once again exposed the dangers of mob justice fueled by superstition.
Medical examinations later confirmed the young man’s claims were false, while the court and prosecution warned that similar accusations have continued to put lives at risk along the Coast.
Kilifi Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike handed the sentence to Benson Ngala Daniel, 49, and his 19-year-old son, Ruphus Chai Ngala, after the two admitted to the offence of assault causing actual bodily harm contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
The court heard that the incident happened at about 5 p.m. on July 5, 2026, in Mdangarani village, Kauma Sub-county, Kilifi County.
According to the prosecution, Ruphus was walking home from his farm when he met Asha Samini. After greeting her, the woman asked him, “Uko sawa?” He later claimed that he felt a cold sensation pass through his body and alleged that the woman, who was wearing a Muslim robe, had caused his genitals to disappear.
Ruphus immediately called his father, Benson, who rushed to the scene and confronted the woman.
The court heard that the father and son attacked Asha while accusing her of causing the alleged disappearance. Their actions drew a crowd, which joined in the assault before members of the public eventually rescued the woman.
Police took the complainant and the two accused to Jaribuni Police Post.
Ruphus was later escorted to Jaribuni Dispensary for a medical examination, where a doctor confirmed that his genitals were intact and functioning normally.
Asha was referred to Kilifi County Hospital for treatment and was issued with a P3 medical examination form the following day.
During mitigation, Benson asked the court for leniency, saying his wife was unwell and his children depended on him. Ruphus, who is a Grade Nine student at Mrarani, also pleaded with the court to allow him to continue with his education.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Nancy Njeru opposed a lighter sentence, telling the court that the attack had placed the complainant’s life in danger.
The prosecution further argued that cases of mob justice arising from witchcraft allegations had become common along the Coast, leading to deaths and leaving many others with serious injuries.
The court also heard that Asha, the sole breadwinner for her family, was still receiving treatment after suffering a fractured hand and urinary tract complications during the assault.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Wasike condemned the actions of the two convicts, saying they had promoted a false belief capable of putting innocent lives at risk.
“Cases of this nature have caused people to lose their lives, health, and property.” She observed.
The magistrate said communities must be discouraged from taking the law into their own hands before sentencing each accused to one year in prison with effect from July 7, 2026.
The court further directed that the complainant continue receiving treatment at Kilifi County Hospital and ordered the Department of Gender to provide her with psychosocial support.
The two convicts were also granted 14 days to appeal against both their conviction and sentence.