Kenya looters fear black magic and return goods

By Celestine Achieng

MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - Police in the Kenyan coastal resort of Mombasa say some people who stole property during post-election riots are now returning the goods.

The reason? They think they have been cursed.

"We have been receiving reports of black magic at work," Mombasa police chief Wilfred Mbiithi told reporters.

"These people have been returning stolen goods at night, but we will arrest them should we catch them in the act."

Kenya was convulsed by violence following President Mwai Kibaki's disputed victory in a December 27 election.

Many homes and businesses were looted as some residents took advantage of the chaos to make off with goods.

But as rumours spread in Mombasa that some thieves had been afflicted by illness, or even death, because of their actions, some of the property was mysteriously brought back.

The owner of a Changamwe suburb bar, which lost a television set in the unrest, said he did not know why it was returned.