By Nyang’au Araka
Two people have reportedly died at Kamagambo, Migori County amid fears that they belonged to a church that engaged in cultic activities.
57 people were rescued from the church, as the incident reminded residents of the Shakahola Massacre that shocked the country and world in 2023.
Police said they first received a report from Abiud Rariende, the Assistant chief of Kanyadiedo sub location, East Kamagambo location on Sunday.
The grassroots administrator reported to the police that one person had died in a suspicious manner at St. Joseph Missions of Africa Church located at Kochola village within his area of jurisdiction.
The Rongo Sub-County security and intelligence committee and police proceeded to the scene where they found the lifeless body of one Francis Muli.
The body was lying on the floor of a prayer room within the church compound.
The age of the dead man was not immediately known.
“The body was fully covered in a white rob and wrapped in a grey sheet,” a police report seen by KPC said.
“When we inspected, the body had some injuries on the face and foam was oozing from the mouth.”
The body was moved to Rosewood mortuary pending postmortem.
Earlier in the day another body was recovered from the same place.
Later, the security teams conducted a search in the church and managed to rescue 57 people residing there, according to the police report.
Some were looking weak and frail.
“The group was then escorted to Rongo Sub -County Hospital for medical attention but all of them flatly refused to be examined by medical officers and began to make noises and singing religious songs,” a police source said.
Sad memories
The incident reminds Kenyans of the deeply disturbing Shakahola tragedy which unfolded in 2023.
That time, the bodies of numerous victims were discovered in mass graves within a remote forest area in Kilifi County.
The victims were followers of an allegedvcult led by self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie.
He had allegedly convinced them to starve themselves to death in order to “meet Jesus.”
The case shocked the nation and the world, drawing attention to the dangers of religious extremism and the lack of oversight on cult activities.
Authorities launched a large-scale investigation and rescue mission, uncovering more bodies over time and rescuing survivors, many of whom were severely malnourished.
The tragedy sparked national debate about freedom of worship, mental health, and the responsibilities of religious leaders.
The matter was not conclusively investigated.