Police in Kwale County rescued a 22-year-old man who had allegedly been detained and chained for five months at the home of a sangoma (traditional healer) in Mwamanga Village, Bongwe-Gombato, where he had been taken for treatment of a mental health condition.

The victim, identified as Mwatela Dela, was found confined in a locked room, restrained with heavy chains fastened to iron bars fixed to the floor.

The rescue operation was conducted after the victim’s father reported the matter to the police, alleging that his son was being unlawfully detained at the healer’s homestead.

According to eyewitnesses, when police officers and local leaders arrived at the sangoma’s home, they found the young man living in squalid and deplorable conditions. Efforts to free him were delayed after the keys of the padlock and chains failed to work, forcing rescuers to use a saw to cut them in an operation that lasted almost an hour.

The traditional healer, locally referred to as “Dr Baakanda”, defended himself by claiming that the victim had been brought to him for treatment and fees settlement dispute complicated the situation.

“Money for the medicine was not forthcoming. He only paid part of the agreed amount,” Baakanda said.

The victim’s father, however, said his son developed mental health challenges last year and had initially received treatment at a hospital before relatives and friends advised the family to seek traditional remedies.

“We agreed on a treatment fee of Ksh18,000 and brought him here in January. But whenever I asked to take my son back, I was told to pay more money,” Dela, the patient’s father, alleged.

He further claimed that the healer administered herbal remedies prepared from boiled tree bark and other traditional herbs.

“The medicine was prepared from herbs and tree branches. He would boil them and expose the patient to the smoke,” he said.

During the rescue operation, several other individuals believed to be receiving treatment at homestead were seen sighted in the compound, raising concerns among human rights activists. It was not immediately known if they, too, were being detained for non-settlement of fees.

Human rights activist Evans Momanyi called on authorities to investigate the welfare of other people being kept at the facility.

“People suffering from mental illness should receive treatment in recognised health facilities under the care of trained medical professionals. What we have witnessed here raises serious concerns,” Momanyi said.

Police confirmed that the traditional healer and the victim’s mother had been arrested for investigations while the rescued man was taken to hospital for medical assessment and further treatment.

Kwale County police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances under which the victim was detained and whether any laws relating to unlawful confinement or abuse were violated.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chari Suche