Eight individuals posing as witch-doctors have been arrested in Limuru, Kiambu County, and Nairobi over a fraudulent scheme that defrauded a victim of Ksh1.5 million. The suspects, who are under investigation, were detained following a tip-off from a local resident near their rented apartment in Limuru. The arrest took place on Saturday, April 5, 2025. In total, five suspects were apprehended in Limuru two females and three males while three others were arrested earlier in Nairobi, two males in Zimmerman and one female in Ngara.
During the operation, authorities also seized a Toyota Prado vehicle used by the suspects. The vehicle was reportedly carrying witchcraft-related items, including a dummy snake, a casket, a decorated guard, and other paraphernalia. These materials were allegedly used to further the fraudulent activities, which were carried out under the guise of offering witch-doctor services.
The police confirmed the arrests but withheld further details as the suspects were being processed at the Nairobi Central Police Station. The Nairobi Central OCPD, Stephen Okal, mentioned that the suspects were still undergoing investigations and promised to issue a statement later, which would include their identities and additional information on the case. Preliminary investigations revealed that four of the suspects are Ugandan nationals.
The victim of the fraud, who chose to remain anonymous, provided crucial details that led to the investigation. He reported that he had been conned over a period spanning from December 13 to 17, 2024. According to the victim, he had first encountered the suspects on the social media platform TikTok, where they advertised their supposed witchcraft services. The victim, intrigued by the promises made, reached out to a user who went by the name “Daktari,” who claimed to help people solve their personal problems.
After making initial contact, the victim shared his full name and a photo with the individual. As the conversations progressed, the victim was asked to pay Ksh1.5 million for the promised services. Eventually, the scammers requested an additional Ksh4.5 million to complete the arrangement. Realizing that he had been scammed, the victim first approached Parklands Police Station but received little assistance. Feeling frustrated, he then went to Central Police, where the matter was taken up and led to the eventual arrests.
The suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue. It is expected that they will be arraigned in court once the investigation is complete. Authorities are working to uncover the full extent of the scam and to determine if there are additional victims or members of the syndicate involved in the fraudulent activities.
This case highlights the growing trend of fraud committed through social media platforms, with criminals increasingly using online channels to prey on vulnerable individuals. As the investigation unfolds, it is expected that more details will emerge, shedding light on the operation’s scale and the methods employed by the suspects to deceive their victims.
