Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworia has announced a crackdown on unregistered churches in the region, which comprises Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, and Nyamira counties.
In a press briefing in Migori, on Monday, April 29, at St. Joseph’s Missions of Messiah church, where several individuals were found dead and others were rescued last week, Mworia stressed that the crackdown will be pivotal in ensuring that churches don't spread false religious teachings and practices to the public.
Mworia emphasised the need for the public to work collaboratively with security agencies in the region to ensure the government weeds out the unauthorised churches.
"We are going to do a serious crackdown on all unregistered churches in the region, because we are not going to tolerate radicalisation in this society, and all people who are operating churches must make sure that they are registered," she said.
"It is always important for all of us to take charge of these happenings that are happening in our society, because we police and chiefs cannot be in every place, so information that is shared by the public is very crucial," she added.
The commissioner has further noted that the county governments will also take action against any government officer colluding with the unlicensed churches, which is, in turn, encouraging religious radicalisation in the region.
"It is very unfortunate that we are receiving information that some government officers are colluding with the churches to break the law, and we will also conduct a crackdown on them," she stated.
The announcement comes a week after the security and intelligence committee from Rongo sub-county in Migori raided the St. Joseph’s Missions of Messiah church on Sunday, April 20, and discovered two lifeless bodies on the church's premises.
In a police report on Tuesday, April 22, the Kamagambo Police Station claimed that one body, which they found lying on the floor of a prayer room, was wrapped in a white robe and grey sheets, and had injuries on the face, and foam oozing from the mouth.
"The scene was processed, and necessary action was taken. The body was removed to Rosewood Mortuary pending postmortem," the report stated.
According to the police, 57 other people between the ages of 5 and 77, who were described as weak and frail, were found residing within the church's premises.
The police claimed that after being escorted to the Rongo sub-county Hospital for medical attention, the individuals resisted being examined and began singing religious songs.
According to the police, the operation was launched following a tip-off from the Kanyadiedo sub-location Assistant Chief, who reported suspicious activities in the church.
"When they persisted, the medical officers advised that the group should be removed from the hospital since they were disturbing the other patients at the facility. They were taken to the station to await further directives," it stated.
