By Collins Wanzallah
Police in Tigania West have been granted 10 days to detain a suspect connected to cult activities while investigations continue. The suspect appeared before the local court, where authorities had requested 14 days to finalize their inquiries. The individual has been linked to incidences that led to an arson attack, which police now believe was triggered by the community’s outrage over immoral acts attributed to him.
Initially, the arson was thought to be related to a land dispute, but preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was driven by the local community’s anger toward Pastor Daniel Mururu of the East African Pentecostal Churches of Kenya (Kianjai branch), along with church elders and ushers. The police allege that Pastor Mururu has been involved in disturbing and indecent practices within the church.
According to the police, the pastor allegedly ordered women and girls to be stripped naked, had their pubic hair shaved, and engaged in sexual acts, including sucking their breasts, under the guise of religious rituals. These acts were reportedly carried out by the church elders and ushers under the pastor’s instructions.
So far, 23 witnesses have come forward, including a 17-year-old Form Three student from Kamitongu Secondary School, who claims she was defiled and is now five months pregnant. Additionally, more than seven women, ranging in age from 17 to 70, have accused the pastor and his associates of indecently assaulting them. The alleged assaults include breast-sucking, pubic hair shaving, and the insertion of fingers into their private parts.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has uncovered evidence suggesting that the pastor and the church elders are running a cult, radicalizing followers through fear and manipulation. Followers were reportedly coerced into performing indecent acts, believing they would face calamities such as illness or infertility if they disobeyed the pastor’s orders and prophecies.
