Police Rescue Man Chained for Five Months in Herbalist’s Home

A 22-year-old man has been rescued by police after spending five months chained inside the home of a traditional herbalist in Mwamanga Village, Kwale County.

The young man, who comes from Darugube, was found padlocked to a heavy metal chain fixed to the floor of a room.

His family had taken him to the herbalist after he developed a mental illness and failed to improve despite receiving hospital treatment.

Pictures seen showed the visibly weak and emaciated man chained by both feet and unable to move freely.

Police officers spent nearly 30 minutes cutting through the chain before freeing the man.

Investigators said the herbalist had secured the victim to metallic hooks permanently fixed into the concrete floor using chains and a padlock.

The man appeared shaken and in poor health after months of confinement.

Kwale Father Speaks Out on Son’s Five-Month Ordeal

The victim’s father, Mwatela Dela, said the family first sought medical treatment for his son before turning to a traditional healer after they were advised to seek alternative help.

Mwateladi said the agreements over payment led him to report the matter to the police.

Speaking to the media, he said,”Nikamkabidhi mtoto wangu. Akakaa hapo Januari, Februari, Machi, Aprili, Mei. Nikawa namwomba nafasi nichukue mtoto wangu, akawa ananitusi kama mtoto mdogo. Aliniambia anataka elfu kumi na nane, lakini sikuwa nayo. Nikawa namlipa pesa kidogo kidogo, lakini ananiambia, ‘Hii pesa itanisaidia nini? Hii haihesabu.”

Mwatela said he became frustrated after repeated requests to take his son home were ignored, prompting him to seek help from authorities.

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Human Rights Activists Condemn Incident

Human rights defender Evans Momanyi condemned the treatment, describing it as cruel, degrading, and inhumane.

Momanyi said no person should be subjected to such conditions, regardless of their medical condition.

The incident has sparked concerns about the treatment of people living with mental illness and the need for access to proper medical care.

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Herbalist and Victim’s Mother in Custody

Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Msambweni have launched investigations into the matter.

According to police, both the herbalist and the victim’s mother are currently in custody as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the rescued man was taken to Msambweni Hospital, where doctors are providing medical treatment and conducting further assessments.

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Police Land cruiser
PHOTO/HiviLeo