Eight Sickly Family Members Rescued From Rarienda's Religious Home

Police in Rarienda, Siaya, have rescued eight sickly family members who had refused medical attention due to religious beliefs. 

The group comprised six children between the ages of two and six, as well as their mothers. According to the police, the two families had declined to take their ailing children to the hospital, citing Christo Church teachings. On Friday, the police went to the home of David Owego and found his wife and three children unwell and praying. They also raided a neighbour's home and identified three more children and a wife sick. 

The mother and a man who was providing basic education at the home were arrested and charged under the Children Act 2022. Three of the children were taken to a children's home while one was taken to the hospital. The hospital reports that the rescued victims are recovering well. 

Occult-related deaths have been on the rise with many perpetrators citing religion as their motive. To address this trend, authorities have taken action by launching operations and forming a task force to regulate these practices. Recently, a team of officials raided the Holy Ghost Coptic Church led by Father John Pesa in Kisumu County following investigations regarding the detention of sick patients for prayers in the church.

The officers found mentally ill patients detained in rooms and took them to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. They also examined a nearby yard where the preacher explained that the graves belonged to deceased nuns who worked at the church.  In June, the senate Ad-hoc committee raided the church and freed eight people.