There was drama at the Rongo Police Station in Migori County after 57 faithful of Melkio St. Joseph Missions of Messaiha Africa Church refused to go home, insisting that they could only return to their church, where two members reportedly perished after refusing to seek medical attention.
Migori County Commissioner Mutua Kisilu revealed that there were registration anomalies while setting up the facility, which remains cordoned off by police officers undertaking investigations amid reports of cult-like activities associated with the church.
The 57 congregants are spending the night at the Rongo Police Station for the second successive night.
The standoff led to eight children being transferred to nearby rescue centres.
“We have agreed with the children’s department that they be rescued,” said Migori County Commissioner Mutua Kisilu.
As the 57 members, who also refused to be medically examined on Tuesday, remain at the station, some residents have come to search for missing kin whom they say have been separated from their families for close to a decade since joining the church.
“One of my sons is among them at the police station. He refused to return home. There are four other residents who have never been seen since joining this church,” a resident, John Ogeno Agutu said.
“Our son is among the recruits and left his family behind,” George Adongo, another resident, noted.
One of the parents from Homa Bay, Grace Oduongo added, “I came to look for my missing child, who I suspect is part of the members.”
Melkio St. Joseph Missions of Messaiha Africa Church remains shut, with police patrolling its surroundings after the bodies of two members who reportedly died due to illness were found.
“We are extending the search and investigating probable cultic links,” said Commissioner Kisilu.
It has also emerged that the registration procedures used to set up Melkio St. Joseph Missions of Messaiha Africa Church were irregular.
“We have noticed that the church was registered as a company,” Kisilu added.
No arrests have been made so far in relation to the deaths, which reportedly occurred inside the church premises, amid fears that this could turn out to be a replica of the Shakahola findings.
