Behind the cloth: Preachers caught in occult storm

Cases of preachers involving or seeking the services of witch doctors are not uncommon in a country where many communities are deeply rooted in both religious and traditional beliefs. In one of the more bizarre incidents, a man was arrested in Busia County after he was found in possession of a snake on May 4, 2025. Fanish Ramsey Maloba, 26, was intercepted by officers manning the Malenya border point while returning to Kenya from Uganda. Upon searching the bag he was carrying, the officers were shocked to find a snake inside. Maloba, who hails from Matayos Sub-County, claimed he had gone to Uganda to offer prayers and cast away demons when the snake appeared from nowhere. He captured it, he said, and was taking it to his Apostle Ministry Church in Matayos. Not long ago, police in Chonyi, Kilifi County, arrested a self-proclaimed pastor who was found with pieces of bones and brown, stone-like substances suspected to be linked to ritualistic practices. Police suspected 51-year-old Julius Kimutai Kipngeny and his accomplice, Baraka Tsuma, 32, of using the inanimate objects, believed to have magical powers, to recruit followers, especially women and children. The arrest, which took place on April 1, 2025, followed a tip-off from concerned locals who had questioned the preacher's activities, particularly his growing influence over women and children. Kilifi County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) David Siele stated that forensic experts would analyse the bones to determine if they were human remains. Other recovered items included two walkie-talkies, red and yellow robes, matchboxes, bottles of perfume, keys, a Bible, a self-study Bible course, olive oil, detergent, and a spoon wrapped in paper bags. "The investigation will uncover the nature of their activities, whether the church is registered, and verify their vehicle's documents," Siele said. Kipngeny, however, claimed that he had simply removed the bones from someone's home and was preparing to burn them along with other paraphernalia. The arrest took place at an abandoned building where Kipngeny was allegedly performing 'miracles' and claiming to heal the sick or remove 'witchcraft' elements from homes. Witnesses said his services were primarily attended by women. In 2019, a pastor was similarly arrested in Kitui for planting witchcraft paraphernalia in a congregant's home, where he had returned to allegedly exorcise "evil spirits." Ironically, Kyalo Kavali was well known for his sermons denouncing witchcraft. He was caught half-naked, planting an animal's skull, a woman's underwear, and human hair. Kyalo confessed to being part of a money-minting syndicate that plants witchcraft items in homes, then returns later to "pray" and dig them up, earning payment for his so-called deliverance services. "I usually go and bury at least three items in their compounds, then I return and pray before I dig them out and get paid," Kyalo confessed.

Behind the cloth: Preachers caught in occult storm

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Behind the cloth: Preachers caught in occult storm

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