Police based in Kwale are under probe of a suspected religious kidnapping in Vumbu village in Msambweni, Kwale County.
This is after more than 200 people were found in a forests involved in extreme religious activities at a church called Rainbow Faith Ministries-Vumbu, a group from the main SDA church in Vumbu.
Among those arrested the church leader, a 23-year old Joyce Mkumbi, a suspected self-proclaimed prophetess.
A secondary school teacher was among the arrested, the teacher had quit his job to join the religious activities and was staying in a forest.
The Report
According to a verified report by Kwale County Children’s Coordinator Zephaniah Apoko, the church asked its followers to leave their homes and stay at the Centre in the forest to observe and follow its teachings.
The followers were also required to pray three times a day and three times a night without missing a prayer. Children were also forced to miss school to attend the prayers.
Among the followers present in the makeshift Centre were 50 children from different families.
Mr. Zephaniah said the pastor was not a certified preacher as she had no formal training.
He also said that Ms. Mkumbi be charged for exposing children to extreme religious doctrine through her claims of messages from God.
However one of the church’s congregants said that they were only worshipping God and had not prevented any children from going to school.
Muslim For Human Rights Rapid Response Oficcer Francis Auma said the police conducting the probe should ensure that they do not violate human rights even while the investigations are ongoing.
Mr. Auma who visited the village said the villagers had complained of harassments by police during the investigations over the past two weeks , forcing most of them to hide in the forest.
The Police commander said they were still investigating the matte to come up with a final report on the said church. As they continue to monitor the situation and prevent any harm to the congregants.
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