Is witch craft illegal in Kenya?

Answer 1

What is called "Witch craft" is illegal in many African countries, Kenya among them, but that is actually part of a bigger problem: fear of those who act differently or who act in a way that the culture opposes. In these countries, unusual behavior can often be labeled as "witch craft" when in reality, it is just non-conformity. Some people with mental illness have been accused of being witches, and there have also been reports of children, some as young as eight, persecuted and harassed for allegedly practicing witch craft when in fact, the children have just been stubborn or have misbehaved in some way. Journalists who have witnessed the persecution of children in certain African countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Congo) have written about it, and human rights activists, including organizations like UNICEF, have also spoken out, yet the problem persists.

The truth is that there is probably no actual "witch craft" in Kenya (or in other countries where it is supposed to be a threat). But because there is a great fear of those who are different, labeling such people "witches" provides a good excuse for harassing them or driving them out. It is unfortunate that certain preachers from fundamentalist Christian churches in parts of Africa have been at the forefront of calling people witches, taking verses of the Bible out of context to claim what they are doing is necessary, even if the people they are accusing are young children. In countries with little understanding of psychology, weak educational systems, and no tolerance for those who are different, such persecution is not only accepted-- in some cases, it is encouraged.