A Ugandan witch doctor received a 25-year prison sentence for murdering a Kenyan nurse union leader. Mawanda Asuma killed Ferdinand Ongeri after the 40-year-old nursing official successfully negotiated better promotions for healthcare workers. Judge Reuben Nyakundi convicted the 52-year-old herbalist at Eldoret High Court. Ongeri served as deputy chairman for the Kenya National Union of Nurses Kisumu branch. The victim worked at Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology dispensary.
Ongeri disappeared between July 24 and July 27 back in 2019. Cattle herders discovered his rotting corpse in Kimondi Forest near Kapsabet town. Local Chief Emily Cherono described the horrible condition of the body during court testimony. Deep cuts covered his stomach and mouth area. Multiple bruises showed the nurse had suffered terribly before death.
The murdered man's wife Brossy feared the worst after her husband stopped answering phone calls. His mother Isabela gave heartbreaking testimony about their final conversation. The retired nurse said her son had promised to visit her the following week. That reunion never happened because Asuma had already killed him. Both women told the court how devastating the loss felt.
Asuma tried defending himself during December 2024 hearings. The herbalist claimed Ongeri was actually his best friend and regular client. He said he had been treating the nurse for weight problems using traditional medicine. Asuma insisted he would never hurt someone he cared about. Judge Nyakundi rejected this defense after prosecutors proved their case.
Ongeri disappeared between July 24 and July 27 back in 2019. Cattle herders discovered his rotting corpse in Kimondi Forest near Kapsabet town. Local Chief Emily Cherono described the horrible condition of the body during court testimony. Deep cuts covered his stomach and mouth area. Multiple bruises showed the nurse had suffered terribly before death.
The murdered man's wife Brossy feared the worst after her husband stopped answering phone calls. His mother Isabela gave heartbreaking testimony about their final conversation. The retired nurse said her son had promised to visit her the following week. That reunion never happened because Asuma had already killed him. Both women told the court how devastating the loss felt.
Asuma tried defending himself during December 2024 hearings. The herbalist claimed Ongeri was actually his best friend and regular client. He said he had been treating the nurse for weight problems using traditional medicine. Asuma insisted he would never hurt someone he cared about. Judge Nyakundi rejected this defense after prosecutors proved their case.
