By:Vivian Kisamo
I grew up believing that churches were places of peace where people come to heal, connect, and find spiritual purpose. For millions of Kenyans, that belief still holds true. But today, that faith is being twisted by a dangerous reality.Some churches are no longer sanctuaries. They’re traps. Under the guise of religion, cult-like groups are spreading quietly across the country, feeding off people’s trust and vulnerability. What once brought people closer to God is now, in some cases, leading them straight into manipulation, abuse and even death.
One of the darkest reminders of this truth came in 2023, when Kenyan authorities made a horrific discovery in the Shakahola Forest in Kilifi. Pastor Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, had convinced hundreds of his followers to fast to death in order to “meet Jesus.” What investigators found was beyond shocking: over 430 bodies buried in shallow graves, many of them children. Survivors described a nightmare being locked away, denied medical care, isolated from their families, and forced to give up personal identification. Salama Masha, a survivor, told Nation Africa,“Before we moved to Shakahola, a preacher kept warning us that the end of the world was coming. We were scared and convinced it was the only way to be saved.”. What began as religious devotion became a death sentence.
And just two years later, in April 2025, history nearly repeated itself. Police raided the Melkio Saint Joseph Mission of Messiah Church in Rongai, Migori County, rescuing 57 malnourished congregants and recovering two bodies from secret graves. Although the case is still under investigation, early findings suggest members were subjected to teachings and conditions very similar to those seen in Shakahola massacre such as isolation, obedience, and the rejection of medical help.
And it’s not just isolated cases like Shakahola and Rongo. In rural areas across Kenya, there are growing reports of churches urging members to abandon medicine, isolate from their families, and surrender all they have to self-proclaimed “prophets.” These communities often lack oversight, and these groups thrive in the shadows often protected by scripture, fear, and silence.
But why do people follow such leaders? The answer lies in vulnerability. In regions facing poverty, trauma, and unemployment, many are simply looking for hope. A charismatic leader offering miracles and salvation becomes more than a preacher but they become a lifeline. And slowly, followers are taught to obey without question.
Dr. Susan Gitau, a counselling psychologist, said in a 2023 interview with The Star: “When people are emotionally wounded or socially isolated, they’re easy targets. Cults offer love and community at first, then twist that into total control.”She emphasized that cults are built not just on lies, but on people’s unmet .
ESadly, in many churches across Kenya, questioning a pastor is treated as questioning God. The phrase “do not touch the anointed” is used to shut down criticism, even when clear signs of abuse are visible. This mindset allows cult leaders to act with impunity and the consequences can be fatal.
This is not a uniquely Kenyan problem. In South Korea, the Shincheonji Church was linked to a major COVID-19 outbreak after members defied health guidelines. In Nigeria, “miracle pastors” have caused financial ruin and death. And in the U.S., cults like Heaven’s Gate and the Branch Davidians ended in mass suicides and violence. Across the globe, the pattern repeats: one leader, unchecked authority, blind obedience and tragedy.
Some argue that government regulation of churches threatens religious freedom. But freedom of worship must never include the freedom to exploit, abuse, or kill. As President William Ruto declared after Shakahola, what Mackenzie did was “terrorism.” Parliament has since begun debating stricter laws to regulate religious institutions, which is a vital step but not the only one. Real change starts with awareness in our families, in schools, and in the pulpits.
If a spiritual leader demands that you silence your doubts, cut off your family, or surrender your independence that’s not faith. That’s control.Jesus never called His followers to starve, to abandon their loved ones, or to obey blindly. True belief empowers and liberates. Yet, across this country, wolves in robes are hiding in plain sight — and they are burying our people.
It’s time to wake up because some crosses don’t point to heaven. Some point straight to Shakahola.