- Police in Changamwe rescued 27 people, including 20 children, from a church suspected of running cult-like activities
- The raid at Zion Fire Ministries followed a tip-off that children were being confined and denied basic needs
- Officers found the victims living in poor conditions, with children lying on bare floors and appearing malnourished
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Mombasa – A discovery in Changamwe has sparked widespread alarm over the possible emergence of a new cult.
Source: UGC
This comes as the police rescued 27 people, including 20 vulnerable children, from a local church where they were allegedly confined in dire conditions.
How did police find suspected cult at Zion Fire Ministries?
The raid on Zion Fire Ministries Church, following a public tip-off, raised fears of religious extremism similar to past tragedies, leaving locals on edge and authorities scrambling to uncover the full extent of the group’s activities.
According to Changamwe sub-county police commander Patrick Gogo, officers stormed the church after receiving a tip-off from residents who reported that children were being confined and denied education and medical care.
“We received information from the public that a woman had pulled her children out of school and confined them in the church,” Gogo stated.
The operation, carried out between Friday, October 31 and Monday, November 3, led to the arrest of seven women and the rescue of 20 minors aged between two and fifteen years.
Gogo said the scene officers found inside the church was distressing, revealing children were lying on bare floors, covered only with thin blankets, in mosquito-infested rooms.
They stated that many appeared weak and malnourished, with no evidence of proper food or hygiene.
The police also discovered personal belongings and luggage scattered across the floor, suggesting the group might have been living there for an extended period.
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“The situation we found the women and children in was heartbreaking. They were lying on bare floors, covered only with blankets, in an area with many mosquitoes. This was a clear risk to their lives,” Gogo said.
Were Zion Fire Ministries worshippers arrested?
The police commander confirmed that investigations began after a woman was arrested last Friday.
During interrogation, she led officers to the church, where the rest of the group was being held.
Early findings show that several children had been withdrawn from school without explanation, despite national examinations being underway.
“Today is a school day, and exams are ongoing. Yet children aged two to fifteen were here instead of being in school. Some of them should be sitting for their Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, but they were locked away,” he added.
The rescued individuals were taken to Changamwe Police Station for questioning as detectives work to determine the nature of the group’s activities.
Source: Facebook
Who owns Zion Fire Ministries?
Police suspect the church may be linked to extremist or cult-like practices, while the church’s alleged leader, a woman believed to be the founder, is currently on the run.
Authorities have summoned the church’s management and pastors for questioning, but none have come forward.
Gogo said investigators are keen to establish how long the group had been staying in the building and whether there are other victims.
He further urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious gatherings or religious activities that appear to isolate members from society.
“It’s normal for Christians to attend overnight prayers on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. However, people should be cautious and avoid joining extremist groups that could mislead them,” Gogo added.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
