Margaret Wanjala Mwachanya, a former IEBC commissioner and Kenya’s immediate past ambassador to Pakistan, is at the center of a bizarre scandal that raises serious ethical concerns. While she is vying to become the Chairperson of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), her ongoing criminal case in Vihiga Law Courts exposes her for seeking witchcraft services to secure a government job.

Mwachanya is embroiled in CRIMINAL CASE NO. MCCR/E637/2024, Tracking Number 97SE2024, where she is suing a witch doctor after a failed spell. She allegedly paid for rituals to influence her reappointment as ambassador after being recalled in 2022. When the witchcraft failed, she demanded a refund, sparking the ongoing court dispute.

Shockingly, we have obtained CCTV footage confirming her multiple visits to the witch doctor’s premises. These recordings show her seeking both “spiritual” and “earthly” intervention, exposing her desperation to regain power through dark means instead of professional merit.

Can She Be Trusted to Lead the Police Service?

Mwachanya’s bid to head the NPSC is laughable. This is a commission meant to uphold discipline and integrity in the police force. Yet, she has proven that when faced with a setback, she resorts to witchcraft rather than credibility and hard work.

If she believes in securing jobs through black magic, how can she ensure fairness in police promotions and recruitment?
How does she plan to lead a professional institution while defending herself in court over a witchcraft scandal?
What kind of example does this set for Kenya’s police officers?
A Leadership Crisis That Must Be Stopped

Mwachanya’s case is not just about her—it reflects a broader crisis in Kenya’s leadership recruitment. Individuals with questionable ethics keep finding their way into top positions, not based on merit, but through manipulation and influence. If she is appointed, it will confirm that Kenya’s vetting system is broken.

Her case is scheduled for hearing on April 14, 2025. If the interviewing panel at the NPSC takes integrity seriously, they must question her on these allegations and the implications of her actions. Kenyans deserve public servants who lead with professionalism, not individuals who believe that witch doctors hold the key to power.

This is a wake-up call. Kenya cannot afford leaders who trade competence for black magic. If the country wants strong institutions, it must start by keeping frauds like Mwachanya far away from them.