Some residents of Kiambu are a fearful lot after reports emerged that a cult-like religion with stringent demands from its members moved into former Jubilee Party offices.
According to a report by People Daily, the alleged cult christened Gwata Ndai meaning to help solve the puzzle is accused of promoting the outlawed Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and ordering its members to shun Christian churches at all cost.
The sect reportedly gets together for a service every two weeks at Hanna’s Garden along Kiambu-Ndumberi Road, a building that was previously occupied by Jubilee Party's Kiambu County branch.
The cult has reportedly opened numerous branches including in Githunguri, Nderu in Ndeiya, Limuru and Mai Mahiu in Naivasha.
Catholic Archbishop John Cardinal Njue was the first to raise an alarm regarding the sect during his Sunday service sermon arguing that it was increasingly causing fear across members.
"The group has had effects on individuals, families, church and society. This group bears the characteristics of a cult and the use of instilling fear in order to inculcate their doctrines and enforce their practices upon individuals.
"Numerous cases of family disintegration and conflicts and of emotional and psychological imbalances especially on women and children have been reported," stated Njue.
Quoting some members from the sect, the publication noted that leaders of the cult attributed the increase of ailments such as cancer to the society deviating from rules of what they term as forefathers.
“Your wife must be circumcised before you join the sect. Wives of would-be members are brought before the circumciser (an old woman in her 90s after every two market days or two weeks) to be cut,” wrote People Daily.
Some of the rules for the sect members to observe include no shaving and blessings come with longer beards. The members are also allegedly not allowed to drink alcohol or engage in drugs save for tobacco and herbs.
It was also established that the cult is governed by Gods who were communicating with its leader and founder Mutarii (high priest). The faithful bring their troubles such as financial difficulties to the priest who then forwards them to the Gods.
The Gods may demand cash and sheep which is allegedly strangled by members before being burned whole to calm down the angry forefathers.
Kiambu County commissioner Wilson Wanyanga confirmed receiving complaints about the sect which has been shrouded by a lot of secrecy” and vowed to carry out investigations.
In the cult's defence, Spokesman Kimani Charagu argued that the association was aimed at promoting Agikuyu cultural values to foster peace and unity of the community.
