Police in Rarieda rescue five sick children, arrest four suspected cult members

Police have arrested four suspected cult members and rescued five sick children in Rarieda, Siaya County.

This follows a crackdown by area local administration, who rescued members of the religious allegedly christened 'Polo Piach' - loosely translated as heaven direct that has been operating in Boi village.

According to Michael Owiti, a village elder, they launched a crackdown after they were informed of the members of the religious outfit.

Owiti, who confirmed the arrest of the suspected cult leader, three women, and five children, said those rescued were taken to On'gielo Health Centre.

"Villagers became suspicious following the mysterious death and rushed burial of a one-and-a-half-year-old girl in the village," he told The Standard.

Owiti claimed that the infant died after being denied medical attention by her mother, Elizabeth Awino, who believes in 'god' for healing.

The matter has raised concern in Boi and Ogaka villages, where the religious outfit is said to have followers.

Milka Otieno, a resident, said there is need for more crackdown should to weed out members of suspected cult.

"They don't believe in conventional medicine, and this poses a great risk to the children," said Otieno.

David Ochieng, a former member of the outfit, says he differed with the wife after declining to take their sick child to the hospital.

The church, believed to have more than 20 members, has no specific place of worship.

According to Rita Osambo, another village elder, the members have been prayers in home.

Ms Awino, a member of the church who is among those arrested and currently at the hospital, says their only medicine is prayers.

"I don't believe in conventional drugs. Prayer is enough to cure us,"' she says.

According to the villagers, another member of the church, Beatrice Achieng, lost her baby recently.

Those who spoke to The Standard said the children are told to stay at home instead of going to the hospital whenever they fall ill.

Police spokesperson Rosalia Onyango confirmed the arrest and stated that the families had declined to take their sick children to hospital because of their faith.

"Police visited the home of a suspect who had reportedly refused to take his extremely sick children to hospital," said Rosalia.

The police spokesperson said four family members who were rescued by police were extremely sick.

According to police, two of the suspects who were arrested will be presented in court to face charges.

A third suspect is under police watch at a health facility where her two-year-old child is admitted and undergoing treatment.