Kilifi: Police Raid Another Church, Arrest Preacher over Radical Teachings after Unexplained Deaths
- Police raided the New Foundation Church in Chakama, arresting its preacher after disturbing reports of deaths and cult-like practices surfaced
- The church, just kilometres from Shakahola Forest, is accused of brainwashing followers and mimicking rituals eerily similar to the 2023 massacre
- Preacher Abel Kahindi claimed a tree in his compound could exorcise demons, but authorities say lives were lost under his watch
- Locals are shaken, with officials warning of another looming tragedy if radical teachings and rogue churches remain unchecked
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Kilifi - Police have launched a fresh crackdown on radical religious teachings after raiding a controversial church in Chakama, Malindi sub-county.
Source: UGC
The officers arrested its preacher following reports of unexplained deaths and disturbing practices within the church compound.
The New Foundation Church, led by self-styled preacher Abel Kahindi Gandi, was shut down after security agencies flagged its operations as potentially cultic and a threat to public safety.
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New Foundation Church is located just a few kilometres from the infamous Shakahola Forest, where over 400 bodies were discovered in what has been described as one of Kenya’s deadliest religious cult tragedies.
The latest incident has rattled locals and triggered comparisons to the Shakahola massacre, as chilling similarities begin to emerge.
According to Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Mutisya Muinde, the decision to close the church and arrest Kahindi followed reports that at least three worshippers had died under suspicious circumstances during or after attending prayer sessions at the church.
"We've come here because of rumours to the effect that in the pastor’s ministry, some faithful have lost their lives while being prayed for. Because people have lost lives and he is the central figure, the matter must be thoroughly investigated," Muinde told journalists outside the church grounds.
Inside Kilifi church with cultic practices
The preacher, described as charismatic yet controversial, is accused of brainwashing his followers, some of whom are alleged to be survivors of the Shakahola cult.
He reportedly convinced them to climb what he calls the "Tree of Life", a large tree within the church compound, which, he claimed, had the power to exorcise demons.
"Those who come here are possessed by demons, but when they arrive and climb the tree, the demons leave them. That’s why I now call it the Tree of Life," Kahindi insisted.
While the preacher claims the rituals are spiritually liberating, authorities say the outcomes tell a darker story.
One woman allegedly died during a night vigil at the church. Others, police say, died shortly after being prayed for.
The preacher is also reported to be selling 'holy water', what he refers to as water of life, to his congregants at KSh 100 for three jerrycans.
"What’s shocking is that he doesn’t have a Bible; he’s the first pastor we’ve seen who doesn’t carry one. And when asked about it during questioning, he said he believes strongly in giving out "living water," which he sells at KSh 100 for three jerrycans," Muinde added.
Adding to the concerns, officials noted that Kahindi does not baptise his followers, has no burial protocols, and could not confirm where or when he attended Bible school, despite claiming to be a trained minister.
When was Kahindi's church founded
The church, reportedly built in 2023, quickly drew a following from nearby villages.
Source: UGC
Some locals said it became a refuge for those disillusioned by mainstream churches or recovering from the trauma of past cultic experiences.
“The situation would have been worse if we did not have our security agencies acting on the intelligence that is provided. But of course, for cases like the one including the cases of Rongo and as we've said before, we do not want to have a situation where there is massive destruction of life and loss of life like the case of Shakahola,” said Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Kahindi, who is currently being held at Malindi Police Station, denied most of the accusations, stating that only one person died at the church, and it happened when he was away.
He insisted he uses the Bible during sermons, explaining that he simply didn’t carry it to the interrogation because of the urgency of the summons.
Did rescued Migori congregants go home
Elsewhere in Rongo, Migori county, 57 members of the Melkio St Joseph Missions of Messiah Africa Church were rescued by police after two congregants died, reportedly due to refusing medical care based on the church's teachings.
Despite being taken to Rongo Police Station, the members have declined to return home or accept medical help, choosing instead to stay together at the station.
Authorities discovered the church was improperly registered as a company, not a religious institution, and have since closed it for investigation.
Families from nearby areas, including Homa Bay, are seeking to reunite with their loved ones, while eight children from the group have been placed in rescue centers.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
