Mombasa: Police rescue 27 people in suspected case of religious extremism
By Luke Oluoch, November 3, 2025Police in Mombasa have rescued 27 people on Monday, November 3, 2025, in a suspected religious extremist group similar to the Shakahola massacre that unearthed the gruesome murder of women and children in 2024.
According to Mombasa Police Commandant Patrick Gogo, the individuals, comprising 20 kids and seven women, were confined in the premises of the Zion Fire Anointing Ministries Church in Changamwe, where they were suspected of engaging in potential cultic practices and worship.
Gogo stated that the police raided the premises after acting on a tip-off from a report made by a woman who, together with her children, managed to escape the church and alert police on Friday, October 31, 2025.
On reaching the scene, they recovered bags and bedding.
“The state in which we found them was worrying. Mothers were lying on the floor along with their children, using only sheets to cover their bodies from the chilly conditions,” he said.
Investigations
Gogo revealed that the law enforcers had commenced the search for the church owner, and investigations into the incident will update the public as more information comes to light.
“The kids are between 2 years and 15 years of age, and there is a strong possibility that some of them should be in school. We expect to get the real picture of what was going on after interrogations of those in our custody,” he added.
The shocking revelations come as the leaders stepped up their defense of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, terming it as key to protecting Kenyan families and preventing a repeat of tragedies like Shakahola.
Speaking on Sunday, October 26, 2025, during a service at St. Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava Town, Kakamega County, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah stated that the law will be instrumental in addressing the runaway crimes and extremist acts committed by relgiuos entities.
“Kati ya miswada nane ambazo rais alitia sahihi wiki liopita. Mswada moja ambao ni ule wa matumizi mabaya ya komputer na mitandao ya kijamii. Na kati ya malengo ya hiyo sheria ni kukinga kanisa dhidi ya dini potovu ama cultic behavior and religious extremism. Lengo la pili na muhimu sana. Padre lilikuwa ni lengo la kulinda familia zetu kutokana na mambo potovu ya ngono na maonyesho ya ngono kwa mitandao. Pornography.“