A controversial church in Rongo town, Migori County was closed indefinitely following a series of alarming events and public outcry regarding an unknown number of deaths and illegal burials associated with it.
On the eve of Easter Monday, a family came forward to claim the body of their father, whose burial was reportedly being planned to happen within the precinct of the said church.
Church members claimed they were honouring the deceased’s will. Officials revealed that two bodies were found at the church compound and the cause of death is yet to be determined pending postmortem examinations.
The family, accompanied by police officers, stormed the church, rescuing 57 members, including the body of the deceased.
Rongo Deputy County Commissioner George Matundura acknowledged receiving information which prompted their action.
“We were informed of sick and injured individuals within the church, which is why we are here. We have successfully rescued 57 faithful from this facility,” he explained.
Matundura noted that the sick and injured have been taken to receive medical attention, and the police have assumed control of the facility.
The raid and rescue follow the Church officials’ denial of claims and rumours suggesting that multiple individuals had been secretly buried in the Church compound in the past in a Cult-like movement.
Police were on Monday April 21 2025 informed there was a body lying at St Joseph Missions of Africa Church in Kanyadiedo sub location, East Kamagambo location before rushing there.
The team found the lifeless body of Francis Muli lying on the floor of a prayer room within the church compound.
According to police, the body was fully covered in a white rob and wrapped in a grey sheet at that time. Police said the body had some injuries on the face and foam was oozing from the mouth.
Earlier in the day another dead body was recovered from the same place, police said. The bodies were moved to the local morgue pending autopsy and other procedures.
The police conducted search in the church and managed to rescue 57 people residing there in. Police said some of them were looking weak and 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.
They began to make noises and singing religious songs. When they persisted, the medical officers advised that the group be removed from the hospital since they were disturbing the other patients at the facility.
Police said they were taken to the station to await further directives.
This is the second such incident to happen in the area amid probe into claims of occultism.
The church has faced controversies in the past, particularly concerning the burial of a GSU officer within its grounds. The officer, who died on March 27, 2025, was buried on March 28 following a burial permit obtained by his wife, allowing interment according to the church’s doctrine.
Jacinter Achieng, the daughter of one of the deceased, alleged that her father died due to assaults from locals who stormed the church a week earlier.
“My father, a staunch Church follower, was in good health until the attack that left him injured and ultimately led to his death,” stated Achieng.
She stated that her uncles took the body against her father’s wishes, as he had expressed a desire to be buried in the Church compound.
“They took my father’s body by force, despite our advocate having his will stating he wanted to be buried here. I fear I will be haunted by him for not honouring his request,” she stated.
Achieng urged the government to intervene and ensure her father’s wishes are respected, vowing never to attend a burial outside the Church compound.
Similarly, a congregant from the Church defended its practices amid accusations.
“Despite the accusations against us, we are simply practising our faith, which is guaranteed by the constitution as freedom of worship,” she stated.
She refuted claims that the church prohibits members from seeking medical treatment, clarifying that health decisions are personal.
Furthermore, she claimed that all burials within the Church compound are known.
“We are being falsely accused of burying people here illegally. Every individual buried here is documented and authorised through the burial permits,” she claimed.
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