A former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner, Margaret Wanjala Mwachanya, has dragged a group of self-styled spiritual healers to court after losing over Sh6 million in what she alleges was a meticulously executed scam by the infamous Mugwenu Doctors.
In gripping testimony delivered at the Vihiga Law Courts on Wednesday, Mwachanya detailed how a digital advert promising supernatural assistance for career advancement lured her into a months-long spiral of bizarre rituals, monetary demands, and psychological manipulation.
What began as a Sh3,000 consultation fee quickly escalated into a full-blown deception wrapped in mysticism. The former diplomat, who also served as Kenya’s deputy ambassador to Pakistan, recounted how she was promised divine intervention to secure a lucrative government job — but instead was led through a trail of financial ruin.
From Herbs to Heartbreak
According to court records, Mwachanya’s ordeal began in early 2024 when she responded to an advertisement from Mugwenu Doctors — a group widely known for promoting miracle cures and wealth-generating rituals across social media and local blogs.
“I kept seeing the ad on my phone. It talked about job opportunities. Eventually, I called,” she testified.
Shortly after her initial inquiry, she paid Sh12,500 for herbal medicine delivered by an aide. A week later, the so-called doctor asked for her age. Upon learning she was 53, he told her to add four zeros to the number and produce Sh530,000 for a special “ritual.”
She handed over the cash to a man introduced as the herbalist’s son. The money was sealed in a container and she was instructed to pray over it for 21 days. But when she opened it, the money had vanished.
“The doctor insisted it was safe,” she said.
A Darker Descent
The fraud deepened with further demands: Sh380,000 for a second ritual, and then a surreal meeting in a dimly lit shop where she was told to drop Sh1,000 into a wooden box. What she saw next stunned her — bundles of cash supposedly representing “lost wealth” from birth.
“They said it was Sh18.3 million, but to unlock it, I needed to add Sh1.8 million,” she said. Mwachanya obliged.
Two mysterious “elders” later contacted her, praising her as a rare “woman of iron” and claiming her spiritual wealth had ballooned to Sh48 million. But to access it, she had to send an additional Sh3.33 million.
The Final Ritual
The final act of the con was both symbolic and devastating. She was told to throw the wooden box containing her supposed fortune into a bonfire.
“They promised the money would be wired to my account. But when I asked for confirmation, they threatened me. The doctor told me to run for my life,” she recalled.
Her total loss exceeded Sh6 million.
Mugwenu Doctors Under Scrutiny
While the identity of the exact individuals behind the Mugwenu Doctors moniker remains unclear, their name has long circulated in Kenyan media circles — particularly in clickbait stories showcasing miraculous recoveries, lottery wins, and spiritual interventions.
This case now threatens to strip away that veil of mystique and force public scrutiny on a loosely regulated industry thriving on desperation and secrecy.
A Larger Pattern?
The incident is the latest in a worrying trend of fraudsters exploiting spiritual beliefs to swindle unsuspecting Kenyans. Similar scams have emerged in recent years, often targeting job-seekers, the sick, and those hoping for financial breakthroughs.
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent in regulating so-called traditional healers and spiritual advisors who operate on the edge of legality.
“This is more than a personal loss. It’s a wake-up call for Kenya’s legal system to address a grey area that has long been ignored,” said a lawyer familiar with the case.
Court Date Set
The hearing is scheduled to continue on July 7, 2025. Mwachanya, visibly shaken but determined, has vowed to pursue justice — not just for herself, but for others who may have suffered in silence.
“I was desperate, but they preyed on my trust,” she told the court.
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