A former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner, Margaret Wanjala Mwachanya, has gone to court to seek justice after allegedly falling victim to a well-orchestrated spiritual scam run by a group of self-proclaimed herbalists operating under the name Mugwenu Doctors.
Mwachanya, who also served as Kenya’s deputy ambassador to Pakistan, claims she was conned out of over KSh 6 million in a series of deceitful rituals supposedly aimed at helping her secure a high-paying job. The case, now before a court in Vihiga County, has shocked many and highlighted the growing number of such scams spreading across the country — often disguised as traditional spiritual interventions.
It All Started With a Sh3,000 Consultation
The deception began early in 2024 when Mwachanya encountered an online advertisement repeatedly flashing on her phone. The ad — promising spiritual help to secure lucrative employment opportunities — directed her to contact a number linked to Mugwenu Doctors.
“The ad kept appearing. It mentioned something about job opportunities. So I called the number,” she testified in court.
That initial call led her to pay a KSh 3,000 consultation fee. This seemingly harmless payment marked the beginning of a deeply manipulative and financially draining ordeal.
The Herbal Medicine Trap
Shortly after the consultation, she was advised to purchase a KSh 12,500 dose of herbal medicine, which was delivered by one of the so-called doctor’s aides. A week later, the doctor contacted her again, asking for her age.
“When I told him I was 53, he said I should add four zeros to my age and withdraw KSh 530,000 for a ritual,” she said.
The cash was handed over to a man introduced as the herbalist’s son. He wrapped it in cloth, sealed it in a container, and instructed her to pray over it for 21 days. But when she opened the container at home — the money had vanished.
“I called the doctor in shock. He told me the money was safe,” she said.
The Demands Kept Growing
Before the 21 days were up, the herbalist contacted her again, demanding KSh 380,000 for a second ritual. This time, the container used in the ritual was dramatically thrown into a river. Later, she was summoned to a dimly lit shop in Western Kenya — a setting described in court as strange and unsettling.
“I never saw his face. He spoke from behind a curtain, surrounded by candles,” she testified.
“When I said I only had KSh 1,000, he told me to place it in a wooden box.”
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An aide later lifted the box over her head. When she opened it, she saw what appeared to be bundles of cash.
“They told me this was money I had lost since birth — KSh 18.3 million. But to unlock it, I had to add KSh 1.8 million,” she said.
She withdrew the amount and placed it in the same box. Once again, she was instructed not to open it for 21 days.
False Elders and More Lies
Before that period elapsed, the herbalist introduced her to two supposed elders over the phone. They told her she was a rare “woman of iron” and claimed her spiritual money had now grown to KSh 48 million.
To access the full amount, she was told to send an additional KSh 3.33 million.
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“Soon after, they informed me that the 21-day period could be shortened if I sent KSh 75,000 to a handler traveling to Tanzania to appease the spirits. I complied,” she said.
Later, she was told the handler had returned and was invited to participate in the final ritual.
The Bonfire and the Threats
For the final ceremony, she was instructed to toss the wooden box — her supposed treasure — into a bonfire. She did, believing the wealth would soon arrive in her bank account.
“Afterwards, they said the money would be wired to my bank. But when I insisted on confirmation, I was threatened. The doctor told me to run for my life,” she recalled.
Having lost more than KSh 6 million, Mwachanya now describes the ordeal as a carefully designed spiritual con game orchestrated by Mugwenu Doctors.
A Wider Scheme?
Mugwenu Doctors are not new to controversy. Their stories and testimonials regularly appear on Opera News, often in paid or sponsored posts showcasing miraculous results and extreme wealth claims from clients who allegedly used their services.
But beneath the curated testimonials lies a much darker operation — one that exploits fear, desperation, and the promise of instant success. Many Kenyans have unknowingly fallen into similar traps, depositing large sums of money in pursuit of wealth, jobs, love, or healing.
The case is now a matter of public concern, raising questions about digital platforms enabling such schemes, and the lack of regulation over spiritual service advertisements.
Court Hearing Set
The case will be heard again on July 7, 2025, in what could become a landmark ruling on fraudulent spiritual practices in Kenya.
As more victims begin to speak out, authorities may finally be forced to act against rogue “doctors” and healers who operate under the radar — exploiting vulnerable Kenyans in the name of tradition and faith.
If you’ve fallen victim to Mugwenu Doctors or similar scams, share your story with us at ngindomedia0@gmail.com
