Residents of Nyakoe market in Kisii County were left in disbelief on Wednesday morning, July 30, 2025, after a man who had allegedly stolen a goat from a local homestead began behaving like the very animal he had taken, crawling through the dusty road while letting out loud, animal-like bleats.
Missing Goat Reported
According to area residents, the incident began when a farmer named Ochieng Otieno reported that one of his female goats had disappeared from a makeshift pen behind his compound during the early morning hours, prompting immediate suspicion as no fence had been broken.
Suspect Spotted Near Market
Later that morning, a man was reportedly seen dragging a goat through the narrow footpaths leading to the main road, attempting to conceal it under a grey shawl while occasionally stopping to look around nervously as he approached the bus stop near Nyakoe primary.
Man Begins Acting Strangely
Eyewitnesses claim that as soon as he reached the main road, the man suddenly dropped to the ground and began crawling on his elbows and knees, producing deep goat-like sounds as a growing crowd gathered around him in confusion, thinking he was either mentally unwell or drunk.
Identification of the Goat
Moments later, a local woman recognized the goat and shouted that it belonged to Ochieng, drawing attention from boda boda riders who quickly surrounded the man and restrained him from continuing his erratic movement as his loud bleats echoed across the open-air market.
Animal Behaviour Intensifies
To the shock of onlookers, the man began eating raw napier grass from a roadside heap, refusing to respond to any questions from the crowd as his lips and tongue mimicked those of an actual goat, with his eyes rolling back and hands twitching in a motion similar to hoofed steps.
Crowd Draws Authorities
Police officers from the nearby Nyatieko post were called to the scene after vendors abandoned their stalls to observe the strange display, with some recording videos as others called relatives to come witness what many believed was the work of a supernatural force.
Arrest and Intervention
When officers arrived, they found the man curled near a parked wheelbarrow beside the stolen goat, still making animal noises and refusing to stand up, leading them to gently escort him and the animal into a police pickup while trying to calm the growing excitement from the crowd.
Statements From Bystanders
A vendor named Mama Rabecca said she had never seen anything like it in her entire life, insisting that the man must have taken something that did not belong to him and was now under some form of spiritual punishment, a belief echoed by many others at the scene.
Victim Reacts to News
When informed by phone that his missing goat had been found, Ochieng reportedly rushed to the scene and burst into laughter before quickly thanking God, explaining that it was not the first time someone had stolen from him, but it was definitely the first time the thief had turned into a goat.
Suspect’s Identity Revealed
Police later identified the suspect as a 34-year-old man named Onduso, who was known around the area for doing odd jobs and occasional farm labour but had recently been associated with a group of men suspected of petty thefts targeting livestock and produce.
Medical Team Involved
After detaining him briefly, police called in medical personnel from Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital to assess his condition, but the man refused any physical check-ups and instead continued bleating through the afternoon, now responding only to the name “Mbuzi.”
Investigation Underway
Kisii County Police Commander Julius Otieno confirmed that an investigation was underway to determine whether the man was under the influence of drugs, suffering from a mental breakdown, or possibly acting under the effects of fear, guilt, or a deeply rooted local belief.
Public Reaction Grows
By 2.00pm, videos from the market scene had already gone viral across western Kenya, with hashtags like #GoatJustice and #MbuziThief dominating social media platforms, where users shared memes, emojis, and humorous commentary alongside more serious reflections on crime and morality.
Psychological Expert Speaks
Dr Mercy Nyambura, a local psychologist, told reporters that psychosomatic guilt and cultural fear could cause a person to experience involuntary behaviour mimicking animals, especially in regions where spiritual beliefs are deeply ingrained into daily life.
Spiritual Speculation
Despite scientific opinions, the majority of Nyakoe residents who spoke to reporters were adamant that the thief had been struck by supernatural justice, possibly through a hidden ritual that protected the goat or avenged the wrong on behalf of its rightful owner.
Community Reactions
Local elders praised what they saw as a divine warning, calling for more people to turn away from theft and consider the spiritual consequences of their actions, especially during tough economic times when temptation to steal livestock or crops is high.
Past Incidents Recalled
Several elders mentioned previous incidents in the area where chickens reportedly returned home by themselves after being stolen, or thieves confessed in public markets without provocation, claiming to be haunted by dreams or strange voices.
Return to Police Station
After crawling for nearly 500 metres through town and refusing to rise to his feet, Onduso finally reached the gates of the police station, where officers allowed him to enter still on all fours before placing him inside a cell for observation and later questioning.
Goat Returned to Owner
Ochieng was formally handed back his goat in the evening, visibly relieved and thankful to the community for helping recover the animal and preserve justice without violence or mob punishment, a gesture that was applauded widely on community WhatsApp groups.
Legal Action Considered
Police noted that charges may be filed after medical and psychological evaluation is completed, though officers hinted that if the man continues exhibiting animal behaviour, a different approach involving counselling and community elders may be pursued.
Social Media Explosion
As news of the story spread across digital platforms, thousands of Kenyans reacted with a mix of laughter, surprise, and cultural reflection, debating whether the man had truly been cursed or whether fear and conscience had forced his body into uncontrollable behaviour.
Growing Faith in Spiritual Help
Amid the discussions, many users mentioned turning to traditional protection for their livestock, phones, and homes, believing that spiritual safeguards were becoming more effective than CCTV or padlocks in dealing with theft and loss.
Popularity of Justice Rituals
In recent months, there has been a surge in reported cases where suspected thieves are caught behaving strangely, with incidents of men returning stolen items in the middle of the night, weeping uncontrollably, or confessing in church without being accused.
Shaba Mangube Doctors Praised
A name that continues to appear in many such stories is Shaba Mangube Doctors, a trusted group known for performing powerful justice rituals that expose and confuse wrongdoers while helping victims recover lost property in the most unusual ways.
Client Experiences Shared
People from Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, and even Nairobi have shared stories of using Shaba Mangube Doctors to recover school fees, livestock, smartphones, and stolen cash, describing bizarre thief behaviour including crawling, screaming, or returning items voluntarily.
Contact Information Provided
If you are a victim of theft or want to protect your home, livestock, or belongings using spiritual justice, you can contact Shaba Mangube Doctors by calling +254795613711 for confidential and immediate help across all counties in Kenya.
Community Reflection
Whether the man was affected by guilt, fear, or something beyond human understanding, the scene in Nyakoe was a reminder that actions have consequences and that society continues to blend belief and law in its pursuit of truth and accountability.