57 Rescued from Rongo Church, Refuse to Go Home as Investigations Continue
“We are waiting for a full report on the matter. The children have been moved to a nearby rescue center under the children’s department,” he said.
Believers gathered during church service in Rongo Toen, Migori. Photo/Citizen Digital.
By Juliet Jerotich
Tension gripped Rongo town after 57 followers of the Melkio St. Joseph Mission of Messiah Africa refused to return to their homes following their rescue from the controversial church.
The group, which included eight children, has been held at Rongo Police Station for two days.
Drama unfolded at the station as the rescued individuals insisted they only wanted to return to the church, even after two members reportedly died after refusing medical attention.
Migori County Commissioner Mutua Kisilu confirmed that investigations into the church’s activities are ongoing. “We are waiting for a full report on the matter. The children have been moved to a nearby rescue center under the children’s department,” he said.
The commissioner added that some of the rescued followers had lost contact with their families after joining the church and would remain in custody as efforts to reunite them with relatives continue.
Concerned family members have begun flocking to the police station. John Ogeno said his son was among those detained, and four other locals from his area are still missing.
Another resident, George Adongo, also found his son among the rescued. Grace Odongo came in search of her missing child, hoping the child was among those rescued.
The church has since been closed, and police have been deployed to guard the premises and surrounding areas.
Authorities also discovered that the church was registered irregularly as a company, in violation of the law. “The church broke the law by registering as a company,” Kisilu noted.
No arrests have been made so far in connection with the two deaths, but the incident has drawn comparisons to the Shakahola tragedy, raising concerns about religious cult activities in the region.
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