Nairobi, Kenya – A senior county official has issued a stern warning and a call to action over what he terms an “alarming and growing” trend of fraudulent traditional healers operating in the city. Mr. Geoffrey Mosiria, a county staff member, has highlighted a distressing increase in complaints from residents who have been financially exploited and psychologically manipulated by individuals falsely advertising mystical solutions to life’s problems.
In a passionate statement, Mosiria decried the activities of these “Waganga Fake,” who plaster the city with illegal advertisements promising instant fixes for issues ranging from financial woes to relationship troubles. He emphasized that this has escalated from a nuisance to a serious regulatory and social concern.
“The situation is worrying,” Mosiria stated. “These individuals are not traditional healers; they are con artists preying on desperation. They mislead the public, extract money under false pretenses, and leave vulnerable people in worse states—both financially and emotionally.”
A significant part of the concern, according to Mosiria, is the method of advertisement. These practitioners have been flooding public infrastructure with posters and stickers, defacing walls, utility poles, road signs, and bridges under the cover of darkness. “This clandestine, nocturnal activity itself raises serious red flags about their legitimacy and intent,” Mosiria noted. “It is an assault on the aesthetic beauty of our city and a blatant disregard for our bylaws. Genuine, legitimate businesses do not operate like thieves in the night.”
Mosiria outlined a clear path for anyone claiming to offer genuine services, insisting they must be integrated into the formal regulatory framework. “Operate above board,” he urged. “Apply for a unified business permit, seek proper licensing from the relevant regulatory bodies, and advertise only in approved, designated areas. Operate with professionalism and transparency.”
The county official is now mobilizing Nairobi residents to become the city’s eyes and ears. He has called on the public to report sightings of these illegal advertisements and to share information on the activities of suspected fake witchdoctors. “This issue is a community problem that requires a community response,” Mosiria appealed. “Your information is crucial. It will help us protect your neighbours, crack down on these exploitative networks, and restore order and dignity to our urban spaces.”
He specifically asked residents to come forward if they or someone they know has been affected, stressing that such reports are vital for protective action. The alert underscores a deepening conflict between rapid urbanization, persistent socio-economic challenges, and the exploitation of cultural beliefs. As desperation grows in certain quarters, so too does the fertile ground for such deceptive practices.
The county’s next steps are expected to involve coordinated operations between public health, business licensing, and law enforcement departments to identify, penalize, and dismantle these illegal operations. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious advertisements and operators to their local county office or through official county communication channels. All information will be treated with confidentiality.
