How churches are turning into killing fields for followers

At first glance, St Joseph Missions of Messiah Church in Africa appears like any other place of worship. But behind its towering walls lies a doctrine shrouded in secrecy, one that has left the local community in shock and authorities scrambling for answers. The latest revelation? A police officer was buried within its compound under circumstances as baffling as they are alarming. This chilling incident is not isolated. It is part of a growing pattern where rogue religious institutions exploit faith for ulterior motives, evoking painful memories of past cult tragedies in Kenya. The bizarre chain of events began when General Service Unit (GSU) officer Dan Ayoo Obura died on March 27, 2025, while on his way to the church in a taxi. His wife, Lilian Olal, claimed that her husband had been ailing from an undiagnosed illness and was heading to the church to seek prayers when he passed away. What happened next has left authorities puzzled. Instead of the body being taken to a mortuary for proper procedures, it was transported to the church, where it remained overnight. Burial cloaked in mystery Police reports indicated that the wife obtained a burial permit from the area assistant chief, and the body was buried within the church compound the following day at around midday according to the 'burial rites of the church'. According to police reports, Obura had been receiving radical teachings at the church, prompting concerns from his family. In fact, at one point, his colleagues had visited the church after complaints from his father. The standard burial procedures for a GSU officer, typically involving a formal funeral with a gun salute, were entirely ignored. When journalists attempted to gather information at the church, they were met with resistance. The church gates were locked, and a security guard claimed that those in charge were in 'deep prayers' and could not be disturbed. The high-walled church in Opapo village, East Kamagambo, has long been a source of speculation. Residents admit they know little about what goes on inside. Wycliffe Gudi, a local, said they do not really know what goes on inside that church. "The church has been built with a high perimeter wall and no one can see what goes on in it. There is something hidden inside there that we don't know," Gudi said. The residents, who were still shocked by what had happened, questioned the existence of such churches. They blamed the government for laxity, claiming authorities were aware of the church's existence. "This is very shocking. This church has been here for many years, and we know the government knows about it," said Evans Obondo. Migori County Commissioner Kisilu Mutua said investigations had already started. According to the administrator, the GSU officer's wife claimed it was her husband's wish to be buried at the church. "We don't know the number of people buried there so we want to pursue and investigate what exactly happened. Not just for that one case but what else could have happened to others because it is said that even children are buried there," Mutua said. Preliminary investigations have revealed Ayoo was buried without a post-mortem examination being done. This is not an isolated bizarre incident involving the church. The country has witnessed similar incidents in the recent past, highlighting how clerics hide behind religion to exploit followers, commit crimes, mislead worshippers, radicalise faithfuls, and even impoverish church followers. While the majority of churches in Kenya are devoted to their spiritual missions, religion can never escape scrutiny since some churches or clerics have strayed from the teachings of the scripture. Pastor arrested Ayoo's bizarre death and burial almost coincided with the arrest of pastor Julius Kimutai Kipngeny, who was found in possession of bones, paraphernalia and other fetish items in Chonyi, Kilifi County. The police suspect Kimutai uses charms to recruit followers, especially women and children. Kilifi County Criminal Investigation Officer (CCIO) David Siele said the 51-year-old clergy, alongside his accomplice Baraka Tsuma, 32, were arrested following a tip-off from curious members of the public. The bones have been taken for forensic analysis to verify whether they belong to a human being or not. In defense, Kimutai claimed he took the pieces of bones from a worshipper's home and was preparing to go and burn them elsewhere, amongst other paraphernalia. Also recovered were two walkie-talkies, red and yellow robes, matchboxes, three small bottles of perfume, three bunches of keys, a Bible and a self-study Bible course book. Other items included olive oil, half a bottle of detergent and a bottle of water. According to a police report filed at Chonyi Police Station, Kimutai has been visiting the area every Monday and Tuesday for the last two months to talk to women and children and that he was in the process of establishing a church after acquiring a piece of land. He allegedly performs miracles to heal the sick or remove 'witchcraft' paraphernalia from people's homes. ''There was an individual who was masquerading as a pastor within Silala village in Chonyi, and police officers proceeded to an abandoned building where they found one person, namely Pastor Julius Kimutai Kipngeny, aged 51 years, while attending to some women,'' read part of the police report. Ronald Nzai, a religious leader from Chasimba, says anyone who wants to establish a church in the area is required to consult the local administration and the Chonyi Council of Bishops. In various Kenyan churches, especially those led by figures referred to as "prophets" or "apostles," the attention often shifts from the biblical message to the leaders themselves. With the gift of gab, the clerics tend to attract large followings due to their compelling oratory skills and promises of spiritual breakthroughs. Cult phenomenon This phenomenon, often described as a cult of personality, can be quite hazardous, as it places the leader at the centre of the community, leading to a blind acceptance of their directives. When such leaders become involved in scandals, the situation can worsen as their followers may be reluctant to question or hold them accountable. The emotional connection that congregants have with their religious leaders can hinder their ability to recognise when these leaders fail to fulfill their moral or ethical responsibilities. This is the case of Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a preacher at Good News International Church, who is at the centre of a storm after hundreds of bodies of his followers were found in swallow graves in Shakahola Forest in Malindi. The man is accused of radicalising followers against modernity and education. Mackenzie is in court fighting several charges. His arrest coincided with that of the head of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church, the flamboyant televangelist Ezekiel Odero, who has been linked to Mackenzie. Odero was investigated over several charges, including murder, aiding suicide, radicalisation and money laundering. He has since been cleared by courts of any wrongdoing. When the death of two boys aged five and seven a few years ago hit headlines after a botched circumcision bid in the hands of a traditionalist at Lundi village in Mwingi East, the nation was edified on the Kavonokya sect, who form a sizable population in parts of Kitui County. The siblings bled to death after the cut as their parents and other sect members engaged in endless prayers for their healing. "Our faith does not allow us to go to the hospital. We only pray and get healed by faith. Their death is the will of God who gives and takes away," Mutua Kithuka, the boys' father, stated before he was locked up at the Ukasi Police Station. Pregnant members of the sect do not attend clinics and deliver at home, sometimes with fatal consequences. Even children struck by outbreaks such as measles are never taken to hospital. Many die at home, but the sect members are never moved. They say once one's time to die knocks, nothing can save them. "It is all God's will," they say. During Covid-19 vaccination exercises, the government had an uphill task convincing the members of the sect to get a jab. When he was alive, Jehovah Wanyonyi, the spiritual leader of the Lost Israel church of Kenya, courted controversy given he was a self-proclaimed god who lived in Chemororoch village in Uasin Gishu County, Another controversial figure from Western Kenya is Mwalimu Yesu who claimed to be the son of God. The father of eight, referred to many as Yesu wa Tongaren, has his church in Tongaren, Bungoma County, from where he runs his mission, which even has 12 disciples. Pastor Victor Kanyari, who infamously hit the headlines following an expose on faking miracles digitalised his ministry and found a social media platform and made it home. There, he grew closer to another Tiktoker Kawira, and it did not take long before they hit headlines for the wrong reasons. A video that surfaced online shows Kanyari and Kawira going live on TikTok, with the preacher inappropriately touching the woman. Online Shenanigans During one of the Sunday services Kanyari was conducting, a female TikToker, Faith M Peters, shocked the congregation by presenting him with an unexpected gift: condoms, panty liners and vaseline. Calls to regulate churches have often been met with strong opposition, and while the government of the day might opt for stop-gap measures for the short term, it remains sacrosanct. "Our Constitution allows freedom of worship, and this is where some of these people take advantage and start what they claim to be a church despite not adhering to the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15 gives the correct core of the gospel as written by Paul," says Reverend Kepha Nyandega, the General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya. "We had had incidences of purported men of God selling indulgencies, which is not new if you study the history of the church. These are individuals who will ask for money in exchange for a divine service," he adds. Sociologist Mercy Nashipai points out that in many Kenyan churches, especially those led by so-called prophets or apostles, the focus is often more on the leader than biblical teachings in the Bible. In turn, the leaders tend to amass large followings due to their charismatic personalities, persuasive speaking skills, and promises of spiritual breakthroughs. "This cult of personality can be dangerous because it places the leader at the centre of the congregation, often resulting in the blind following of the pastor's instructions without critical examination," says Nashipai. According to the sociologist, when these leaders are implicated in scandals, sometimes the damage goes unnoticed because their followers may be unwilling to question or hold them to account. "The psychological manipulation of followers who are emotionally invested in their spiritual leader can make it difficult for congregants to accept when the leader falls short of their moral or ethical duties," she explains.

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