Police officers in Mombasa County have rescued 20 children and detained seven adults believed to be members of a religious extremist group in Changamwe.
The operation was conducted inside a local church known as Zion Fire Anointing Ministries, where the victims were reportedly confined and isolated from the outside world.
Changamwe Police Commander Patrick Gogo, while addressing the media on Monday, October 3, revealed that the raid was part of a larger, ongoing crackdown that started the previous Wednesday.
He said the police acted swiftly after receiving a report from a woman who escaped from the church with her children and informed the authorities about the disturbing situation on Friday, October 31.
Commander Gogo described the conditions in which the children and women were found as “extremely worrying.” He said all of them were sleeping on the bare floor inside the church, without any bedding or mosquito nets, exposing them to diseases such as malaria.
“When we entered the church, we were shocked by what we saw. The children and women were lying on the floor in unhygienic conditions, which posed serious health risks,” Gogo said.
“You know Mombasa has a high number of mosquitoes, and when children sleep on the floor without protection, they can easily get malaria.”
The police commander further stated that the owner of the church had not yet been arrested, but investigations were underway to trace him and determine whether there were more victims linked to the group.
Authorities are also trying to establish the nature of the activities that were taking place inside the church and whether the group was operating as a cult.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of similar cases of religious extremism and cult-like practices uncovered by Kenyan authorities in recent months.
In April, police in Migori County rescued 57 individuals and discovered two dead bodies at St. Joseph Mission of Africa Church in Kochola Village, Migori County.
The discovery followed a tip-off from the Assistant Chief of Kanyadiedo Sub-location, who reported suspicious gatherings and strange practices inside the church.
During the operation, security and intelligence officers from Rongo Sub-County found one body lying on the floor of a prayer room within the church premises.
The deceased was wrapped in a white robe and covered with a grey sheet. Police noted visible injuries on the face and foam coming out of the mouth, raising suspicions of foul play.
Later in the day, another body was recovered from the same compound.
When the rescued individuals were taken to Rongo Sub-County Hospital for medical checkups, they reportedly resisted examination, claiming they did not need medical help.
Instead, they began singing religious songs, further raising concerns that they had been deeply indoctrinated.
Authorities have since increased surveillance on religious institutions across the country, especially those suspected of engaging in cult-like practices.
Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious religious gatherings or organizations that appear to be isolating followers or endangering lives.
The incident in Mombasa serves as a grim reminder of how easily vulnerable individuals, especially children, can fall victim to dangerous religious ideologies. Police continue to emphasize the importance of community cooperation in exposing such groups before they cause more harm.
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