Bar owner hires cock to guard business after visit to witch doctor – PHOTOS
A bar owner in Nyeri has caused panic after he hired a cock from a witch doctor to guard his premises, which has been broken into more than three times.
He also gave the thieves up to Saturday to return the loot stolen from his pub in Mathira constituency or they would die.
The cock has been patrolling the bar since Saturday and is not leaving the venue, to the bemusement of villagers.
PERCHED ON ROOFTOP
The bird has been perched on the rooftop of the pub since Saturday last week when thieves allegedly broke into the premises and made away with items whose worth could not immediately be determined.
The cock has been going round the roof of the pub in clockwise direction and after seven days, it is expected that the cock will help to identify the thieves.
Villagers lamented of a surge in numbers of theft and killings in the area.
Mr Stephen Mwangi, a resident, claimed they have suffered a lot from a group of armed thugs that terrorizes them both by stealing and even killing.
“The owner of this pub has suffered setbacks to the level of nearly closing down his business after it was broken into seven times. We are tired of this,” he said.
UNSUCCESSFUL
They said that conventional ways of curbing insecurity in the area have been unsuccessful, claiming that security officials have done little to help them.
Some of the residents distanced themselves from the practice saying it Is unbiblical.
“We do not support this …but he is protecting his property,” said Ms Alice Waceke, a resident.
Villagers are eagerly waiting for Sunday to find out if the thieves will have surrendered.
The business owner declined to comment on the matter when approached by journalists, but while addressing the residents who had milled outside his station, insisted the people culpable were surrendering themselves one by one.
LOSE THEIR LIVES
“Once this cockerel dies, a lot of people will lose their lives. Let them be warned,” he said.
On the rear door of the pub, it is boldly written in capital letters “Never joke with my work.”
A few people have been caught attempting to bring down the brown cock, triggering suspicions that they weRe the suspects.
“I cannot support or condemn his action. Let us wait and see what happens,” said retired chief Clement Wandeto.
The residents said the thieves drove in small different vehicles and were sometimes armed.
