Frustrated by theft and slow police action, coffee farmers at Unyuani Coffee Factory in Kangundo have turned to the Kamba traditional 'Kithitu' oath to demand justice, after unknown raiders stole coffee worth millions of shillings at the factory last month.
A seven-day public notice written in Kikamba and English was on Tuesday pinned on posts around Unyuani, warning anyone involved in the theft to confess or face the consequences of the Kithitu.
“MITHENYA 7 NO, KITHITU”
The notice, dated 21-7-2025, reads in part: “TWANENGANE NOTICE KWA MEMBER. KANA MUNDU ULA WISI KAAWA ULA WA MBILIU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY WOONYWE KITHIINI KYA UNYUANI FACTORY VALA UI AETE. REPORT YU KUMA MATUKU 22-28 JULY.”
Translation: “Notice to members. Anyone who knows about the stolen coffee belonging to Mbilu Farmers Co-operative Society at Unyuani Factory should report between 22-28 July. 7 DAYS, KITHITU," read the unsigned notice.
According to Factory Manager John Muli Kaloki, who narrated the episode earlier, the raid occurred at around 2am.
"The thieves attacked the night guards with pangas, tied their hands and legs with ropes before proceeding to steal more than 70 bags of coffee from the store," Mr Kaloki said.
He said among the stolen coffee were 37 bags that had already been sorted and were ready for milling. The raiders also made away with a water pump used at the factory.
"I arrived here at 4 am after I was alerted. I found the three guards tied up with ropes having suffered deep panga cuts," he added.
The injured guards were rushed to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital.
Unyuani Factory serves over 550 registered members who have suffered heavy losses following the theft.
Mr Kaloki at the time appealed to security agencies to increase night patrols around coffee factories, saying such patrols used to deter crime in the past.
He also called on area MP Fabian Kyule to intervene and assist the farmers.
"I call for speedy investigations to nab the culprits and ask members to be patient as the authorities carry out investigations," he said.
The use of Kithitu— a traditional Kamba oath believed to bring misfortune to liars and thieves — reflects growing desperation among farmers who feel formal justice processes are too slow.
Community elders say Kithitu is invoked when conventional systems fail, and is meant to compel anyone with information to come forward within the stated period, or risk mysterious deaths and misfortunes.
