I've heard that Africa is a beautiful place. From the markets of Somalia to the villages of Sudan, Africans are known all over the world for their civility and wisedom.
In this first series we take a look at burning old people alive for being witches. Of course there is no trial. There only needs to be accusations. It would seem that they must be fans of Logan's Run.
Kenya, considered by many as one of the most stable and progressive countries in Africa, is at the forefront of being "witchless" thanks to their perfected holistic approach.
Villagers, many straight from their farms, and armed with machetes, sticks and axes, are shouting and crowding round in a big group in Kenya's fertile Kisii district. I can't see clearly what is going on, but heavy smoke is rising from the ground and a horrible stench fills the air. More people are streaming up the hill, some of them with firewood and maize stalks. Suddenly an old woman breaks from the crowd, screaming for mercy. Three or four people go after her, beat her and drag her back, pushing her onto - what I can now see - is a raging fire. I was witnessing a horrific practice which appears to be on the increase in Kenya - the lynching of people accused of being witches. I personally saw the burning alive of five elderly men and women in Itii village. I had been visiting relatives in a nearby town, when I heard what was happening. I dashed to the scene, accompanied by a village elder. He reacted as if what we were watching was quite normal, which was shocking for me.
---------------------------
"Here in Kisii, people are being burned on mere allegation and most of them are old," Joseph said.
"We now don't have any old people in the village to consult.
"Even me I'm now approaching 50 years old - I'm afraid that they'll come for me also."
I spent three days in Kisii trying to speak to the authorities, but nobody, neither the police nor the local government officials would talk to me.As night drew in, and it was time for me to leave, Joseph walked with me from his village to where my car was parked. When we arrived, he begged me to take him with me to Mombasa, where I am based. It was very difficult for me to leave him behind. As I drove away I passed signs pinned to trees, warning witches that they would be tracked down. "We know you by your names", someone had typed in bold. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8119201.stm
"Give us a kiss, big tits."
