Police in Mombasa have detained 27 individuals, including 20 minors, in connection with suspected cult-like activities allegedly conducted under the guise of a church ministry in Changamwe.
Authorities say the arrests were made after a public tip-off reported that several children were being confined in poor living conditions and allegedly subjected to starvation within a facility operated by the Zion Fire Ministries Church.
Changamwe Sub-County Police Commander Gogo Patrick confirmed the operation, saying officers acted swiftly after receiving credible information about children in distress.
“The situation we found the women and children in was heartbreaking,” Patrick said. “They were lying on bare floors, covered only with blankets, in an area infested with mosquitoes. This was a clear risk to their lives.”
Upon arrival, officers discovered seven women and twenty minors — some as young as two years old — lying on the floor inside the church premises. Many of the children appeared malnourished and weak, prompting authorities to suspect that they had been deliberately denied food as part of a cult-like religious practice.
Investigators also found personal belongings and luggage, suggesting that the group had been living within the church for an extended period. Police believe the group may have been following unconventional religious teachings that encouraged isolation from society, including withdrawal from school and medical care.
“Today is a school day, and exams are ongoing. Yet children aged between two and fifteen were here instead of being in school,” Patrick added, raising concerns over possible child neglect and violation of education rights.
The arrests followed the earlier detention of a woman last Friday, who allegedly provided crucial leads that helped police locate the church compound. Authorities are now pursuing another woman believed to be the founder or spiritual leader of Zion Fire Ministries, who remains at large.
Link to Wider Crackdown on Cults
The arrests come as Kenya continues to grapple with the aftershocks of the Shakahola massacre, in which hundreds of followers of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie died after being allegedly forced to fast to death. The incident sparked a national debate on the regulation of religious organizations and the monitoring of rogue preachers.
In the wake of Shakahola, police and intelligence agencies have stepped up surveillance on little-known churches and ministries suspected of propagating extremist or exploitative teachings. The Mombasa arrests are the latest in a series of crackdowns aimed at preventing another large-scale tragedy.
Ongoing Investigations
Police say the minors rescued from the church have been placed under the care of the Children’s Department and will undergo medical examinations and counseling. The adult suspects are being held at Changamwe Police Station as detectives continue investigations into possible religious extremism, child neglect, and human rights violations.
Meanwhile, in a related development, detectives from the Homicide Unit handling the Shakahola case confirmed that ten more bodies have been released to families, bringing the total number of bodies handed over for burial to eleven.
One family member, speaking after receiving the remains of two relatives, expressed gratitude that the long and painful identification process had finally begun.
“We are grateful. We have received our two loved ones and will continue making funeral arrangements to bury them back home,” he said.
Authorities say the process of DNA matching and body identification continues, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) assisting affected families with transportation and documentation.
As police pursue the leader of the Zion Fire Ministries, the incident once again highlights the growing concern over unregulated religious movements and the vulnerability of children under their influence.
