Police in Migori County have launched investigations into a suspected cult following a grim discovery of two bodies and the rescue of 57 worshippers from a church compound in Kochola village, Rongo sub-county.
According to a police report filed at Kamagambo Police Station under OB No. 56/21/4/25, the incident came to light on the evening of Monday, April 21, 2025, when Assistant Chief Abiud Rariende of Kanyadiedo sub-location reported a suspicious death at the premises of St. Joseph Missions of Africa Church.
“It was reported yesterday at around 1825 hrs. One Abiud Rariende, the Assistant Chief of Kanyadiedo sub-location, East Kamagambo location that, a person had died in a suspicious manner at St. Joseph Missions of Africa Church located at Kochola village within his sub-location,” the report stated.
In response to the Assistant Chief’s report, the sub-county security and intelligence committee, led by the Deputy County Commissioner and police officers, responded to the scene located approximately 10 kilometres north of Kamagambo Police Station.
Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Francis Muli lying on the floor of a prayer room within the church compound.
“The body was fully covered in a white robe and wrapped in a grey sheet. When inspected, it had some injuries on the face and foam was oozing from the mouth,” the police report noted.
The police also disclosed that earlier in the day, another body had been recovered from the same location, raising serious concerns about the activities taking place at the church.
Following these discoveries, authorities conducted a search of the church premises and managed to rescue 57 people who had been living at the church under unclear circumstances.
The group included men, women, and children ranging from 5 to 77 years of age, many of whom appeared weak and frail.
Refusal of medical services
Surprisingly, when the rescued individuals were taken to Rongo Sub-County Hospital for medical attention, they declined examination by medical officers and instead began singing religious songs and chanting, which disrupted services at the facility.
“When they (medical officers) persisted, the medical officers advised that the group should be removed from the hospital since they were disturbing the other patients at the facility,” the report added.
Due to the disturbing nature of the incident, the group was subsequently taken to the police station pending further directives, while the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Rongo has taken over the investigation.
The body of the deceased recovered at the church has been moved to Rosewood Mortuary, pending a postmortem examination as investigators seek to determine the cause of death.