Police rescue 31 people from suspected cult church in Nakuru

Police on Saturday rescued 31 people from a suspected cult church in Nakuru.

The 31 people, including 17 children as young as two years were rescued while confined to fasting in a house in Kamwene B Village, Njoro Sub-County on April 27.

According to a police report, a parent from Uasin Gishu County reported that her daughter had been confined in a house in Kamwene 'B' village.

"The police led by the OCS of Ndeffo police station visited the scene at Kamwene 'B' village in Njoro sub-county in Nakuru County and established that she had secured a job of Community Health Nursing at Nigeria GK dispensary," the statement read.

Police said the job was meant for her 35-year-old daughter who is a mother of four children.

According to the report, the woman was supposed to report on April 26, 2023, but refused and travelled with her husband to Kamwene 'B' village.

Police found them confined in one house which belongs to a woman who is suspected to be running an unregistered and suspected cultic church known as 'Army Rurwama'.

All were rescued and taken to Njoro Police Station for further investigation. The 31 are said to have been subjected to praying and fasting.

The 31 were rescued amid a probe into the death of more than 100 people in Shakahola forest, Kilifi County.

Police have so far detained Pastors Ezekiel Odero and Paul Mackenzie who are accused of indoctrination of their followers, leading to the deaths.

The death toll in Shakahola has now reached 108 in cult investigation that has shocked the nation and prompted calls for a crackdown on religious groups.

Police have evacuated some of the followers of Pastor Ezekiel of New Life Prayer Centre and Church even as investigations continue.