Mombasa Police Act on Public Tip-Off

Police in Changamwe, Mombasa County, have taken 27 individuals, including 20 minors, into custody following a raid on a church suspected of operating as a cult. The operation at Zion Fire Ministries Church was initiated after authorities received a tip-off from the public concerning a woman who had allegedly pulled her children out of school and confined them within the church premises. The children were reportedly denied access to education and medical care.

Changamwe Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Gogo confirmed the detentions on Monday, November 3, 2025. He stated that officers found seven women and 20 children, with ages ranging from two to fifteen, inside the church. The group was discovered in what police described as deplorable and disturbing conditions, sleeping on the bare floor in a mosquito-infested area without proper bedding. “The situation we found the women and children in was heartbreaking," Gogo told reporters. "This was a clear risk to their lives.”

Investigation into Suspected Extremism

The rescued individuals were transported to Changamwe Police Station for questioning and profiling as investigations into the group's activities and beliefs continue. Authorities are working to determine the length of time the group had been living inside the church. The presence of luggage and other personal belongings suggested an extended stay. A significant concern for officials was the timing of the raid, which occurred as national examinations were underway. “Today is a school day, and exams are ongoing. Yet children aged two to fifteen were here instead of being in school,” Commander Gogo noted.

Police have summoned the church's leadership for questioning, but as of Monday evening, none had come forward. The primary focus of the investigation is to uncover the nature of the teachings and practices within the church and to determine if they constitute religious extremism. The initial breakthrough in the case reportedly came on the preceding Friday, when police rescued one woman and three children who then led them to the larger group.

Echoes of Shakahola and the National Response

This incident has reignited painful memories of the Shakahola massacre of 2023, where over 400 bodies were exhumed from mass graves in Kilifi County. The victims were followers of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly instructed them to starve themselves to death to “meet Jesus.” The Shakahola tragedy exposed significant gaps in the regulation of religious organizations in Kenya and prompted widespread public outcry and a government crackdown on suspected cults.

In response to Shakahola, President William Ruto established a task force to review the legal framework governing religious bodies. The task force submitted recommendations in August 2024, including the establishment of a Religious Affairs Commission to oversee the registration and monitoring of religious groups. However, these proposals have faced some opposition from clerics who argue they could infringe upon the freedom of worship guaranteed by the Constitution. Commander Gogo explicitly referenced the Shakahola tragedy when addressing the media about the Changamwe raid, stating, “We do not want a repeat of tragedies like what happened in Shakahola.” He urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious religious gatherings to the authorities.

Broader Context of Religious Regulation

The challenge for Kenyan authorities is balancing constitutional freedoms with the need to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable people by extremist religious leaders. The Shakahola massacre and subsequent discoveries of other cult-like groups have highlighted how poverty and a lack of opportunity can make individuals susceptible to manipulation. Mainstream religious bodies, including the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Council of Churches of Kenya, have generally supported calls for stronger regulation to root out criminal activities masquerading as religion. The ongoing case in Changamwe serves as a critical test of the government's renewed commitment to preventing such tragedies and holding accountable those who abuse religious authority. The investigation is expected to shed more light on the doctrines of the Zion Fire Ministries Church and whether its leaders will face criminal charges. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.