Man Arrested After Allegedly Returning Stolen Property in Unusual Incident in Turbo

Police in Turbo Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, are investigating an unusual house-breaking incident in which a suspect allegedly returned stolen items under circumstances involving claims of witchcraft, according to a police report filed at Baharini Police Station.

The incident was reported under Occurrence Book (OB) number 30/18/12/2025 at about 7:45 p.m. by Emmanuel Wafula, an adult male resident of Shirika Estate, approximately two kilometres south of Baharini Police Station. Wafula reported that his house had been broken into during the day by unknown person(s), who made away with a 32-inch Ampex television set, a six-kilogram K-Gas cylinder, and a woofer, all valued at approximately KSh 30,000.

According to police, after lodging the report, the complainant opted to seek assistance from a local herbalist identified as Elizabeth Kashindi. The herbalist allegedly performed a ritual on the morning of December 19, 2025, in Kapsoya.

Police say that at around noon on the same day, a young man believed to be in his early 20s presented himself near the herbalist’s residence carrying items matching the description of the stolen property. Witnesses reported that the suspect was followed by a swarm of bees, drawing public attention and prompting intervention by officers from Kapsoya Police Station.

The officers rescued the suspect from the crowd and alerted the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Baharini Police Station, who dispatched additional officers to the scene. The suspect was later transferred to Baharini Police Station for further investigations.

Police reports indicate that the suspect appeared disoriented and was not speaking at the time of arrest. The herbalist allegedly informed officers that another ritual would be required to “resuscitate” the suspect to normal condition, a process she claimed could take up to two days.

As a result of the circumstances surrounding the incident, police detained both the complainant and the herbalist as investigations continue. Authorities stated that the case is being handled by the Baharini Police Station and has been booked as pending further inquiries.

Police have urged members of the public to report crimes through lawful channels and to avoid actions that may interfere with investigations or put lives at risk. They emphasized that all suspects must be handled in accordance with the law and due process, regardless of the circumstances under which they are apprehended.

Investigations into the house-breaking incident and the events that followed are ongoing.