In evangelistic church ministries, followers are asked to purchase prosperity for anything from Ksh310 ($2.50) to millions of shillings. The showers of blessings rain in tandem with the strength and size of one’s pocket, the “prophesies” promise.

Reports of people faithful who are lure into prosperity gospel, then lose their fortunes are commonplace in Kenya. The East African is not a standalone in prosperity evangelism, it is a global phenomenon that delivers misery to the unsuspecting.

From The Finger of God, Helicopter of Jesus, Faith Diet, Overcoming Faith, Maximum Miracles, Rejoices Ministries, etc. The names and titles of some Christian religious sects are weird and endless, although not all of them are apocalyptic.

For the longest time, the freedom of the Church has been guided by its norms, traditions and regulations without adhering to the statutes and the Mother Law – be it the 9163 or 2010 Constitution.

The church has since independence operated within its traditions, enjoying a lot of unfettered freedoms to worship as well run businesses. It is the business angle that ushered what has come to be referred to as ‘prosperity gospel’ a commercial element in religious beliefs that is propagated by faith healers who charge followers a fee in exchange for miracles. In most instances, it is a con game.

The mushrooming of prosperity gospel churches in the recent past has brought to limelight the concerning issues that tweaked the state into forming a presidential taskforce to review some of the laws governing religious organisations in Kenya. 

As of 2023, more than 4,000 denominations were registered in Kenya and many more are pending.

‘Shakahola Massacre’ phenomenon at the Kenyan coast in which the Good News International Ministries – an apocalyptic Christian group – leadership reportedly hoodwinked the faithful into starving to death in the hope of meeting Jesus Christ in heaven shocked the world.

The monumental con is part of the reasons the presidential taskforce was constituted to review the laws governing religion in Kenya.

At the same time, the recent activities in Rongo in Migori County, where two bodies, including that of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer, were found buried at the Melkio St Joseph’s Missions of Messiah Church compound without the consent of their kin, point to further to the need for review the taskforce’s report.

The church’s activities came to light when family members of a GSU officer who hails from Kisumu County died in March in the company of his wife while in transit to the Rongo-based church. The officer was hurriedly buried in the compound of the church. The church has since been closed down by authorities after the rescue of 57 worshippers who had pitched tent in the compound in anticipation of Jesus Christ.

In the last decade, a lot of cult faiths have sprung up all over the country, the latest to hit the headlines being Yesu wa Tongaren in Bungoma and Good News International Ministries in Shakahola, Kilifi County, where 400 people fasted to death. Kisumu-based Coptic Church is another of the sects that kicked up storms over the years with a section of the public accusing its leader Father John Pesa of cultism.

The long list also includes a pastor of the New Foundation Church in Chakama, Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County who was recently arrested over the deaths of Church members after tree-climbing rituals in pursuit of healing and freedom.

Melkio Messiah Church has all the trademarks of a cult. According to residents of Opapo village, where the church has operated with a lot of secrecy for decades, the sect’s founder and spiritual leader, who bore the nickname Hallelujah, was also buried in the church compound.

The 57 believers of the Melkio Messiah Church who were arrested during the police crackdown declined medical treatment.

They instead resorted to reciting their church teachings and rites, further triggering public beliefs that the church has radicalised them into some retrogressive religious life. The congregants also refused to return to their homes, sparking fear of being brainwashed among families and authorities, which led to their detention at various police stations for 30 days.

The 2004 Presidential Taskforce on review of laws governing religious organisations in Kenya chaired by Rev Mutava Musyimi had recommended reforms to curb religious extremism.

However, according to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen, the cabinet is set to review the report by the taskforce before being transmitted to parliament for enactment.

According to Migori County Commissioner Mutua Kisilu, Melkio Messiah Church’s registration is irregular, having been filed as a company rather than a religious institution. The absence of clear laws that restrict the opening of churches in Kenya is one of the reasons for the emergence of cults like churches in the country, legal experts say.

Umbrella bodies like the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), established in 1913 during the colonial era to provide guidelines on church operations as well as to advocate for peace, justice and human rights in Kenya. Its core values included integrity, stewardship and professionalism, but has no explicit guidelines on how to align churches with existing religious laws.

The NCCK, besides relying on the 2010 constitution under the Bill of Rights that provides for freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion, does not have guidelines on how run churches.

According to Lilian Adhiambo, the sister of the GSU officer who died at Melkio Messiah church, security agencies and the community should play complementary roles to avoid conflicts in future. Adhiambo says the family has been living in agony over the last month since her brother was buried at the Rongo-based Church.

“I urge the state to be very keen in identifying this misleading churches that brainwash our brothers and sisters into joining cultic activities,” she pleads.

Nyanza Regional Commissioner Florence Mworoa, while on a visit at the Melkio Church, warned that the government will not spare any unregistered church to curb religious radicalisation. Mworoa said a looming crackdown on unregistered churches will not spare anyone, cautioning government officials who collude with unregistered entities that they risked legal action.

Meanwhile, the presidential taskforce on governance of religious organisations led by Rev Mutava Musyimi has proposed that individuals who run unregistered churches and other religious organisations, be fined up to Ksh5 million ($3,850) or be jailed three years or both if the proposed bill becomes law.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Makokha Khaoya and George Agimba