Kiandutu Nyumba Kumi Chairman Samuel Chege has warned residents against taking the law into their own hands or using unorthodox means to nab or punish criminals.
Speaking during a meeting with residents, Chege asked residents to avoid practices such as use of witchcraft or black magic to apprehend criminals saying witchcraft was illegal in Kenya.
He noted that witchcraft was gaining popularity among residents, citing a recent case where a man who had been robbed of his property and an undisclosed amount of money sought the services of a Tanzanian witchdoctor, who helped him nab six robbers believed to be behind the robbery.
The suspected robbers fell unconscious and were taken to Kiandutu dispensary by police officers from the area.
"Witchcraft is first of all illegal in Kenya. Secondly, it can endanger human life or even lead to death. Suspected criminals in your midst should be reported to the police or to Nyumba Kumi Committee members for action to be taken against them,” said Chege.
Residents who spoke at the meeting, complained over police laxity whenever they reported crime cases.
"We are not turning to witchcraft because we embrace it. In fact, it is an expensive affair because the witchdoctors ask for huge sums of money. We seek their services because police in this slum have failed us as they cannot track down criminals," said Patrick Maina, a resident.
“People usually recover their stolen property when they go to reliable witchdoctors. Why then go to the police who just promise to investigate the matter and do nothing? The Police are not doing enough in as far as apprehending criminals is concerned," said Cecilia Ndanu, a resident.