Siaya Girl Dies After Family Believing In Cultic Teachings Denies Her Treatment, Several Rescued

• Boi villagers in Asembo Kokise said they were alarmed after a toddler, Winnie Awino, died and was hurriedly buried
• The villagers said members of the 'Heaven Direct' church did not go to the hospital or seek treatment for their children
• The local authorities, supported by angry villagers, launched a hunt for the church's members that saw them arrest one man and rescue several women and children

Siaya - Police in Rarieda have detained one person suspected of promoting radical Christian teachings.

The death and rushed burial of one-and-a-half-year-old Winnie Awino is the smoke signal that drew Boi villagers' attention to the suspected cult.

Michael Owiti, a villager, stated that after Winnie's tragic death, they learned that her parents did not take her to the hospital.

The villagers confirmed his claims, adding that most sect members denounce conventional medicine, arguing that it violates their beliefs.

"They don't even go to clinics, they don't even go to hospitals. Now we want the government to take on the responsibility of removing this church here," said Milka Otieno, a resident.

The local authorities, supported by angry villagers, launched a hunt for the church's members that saw them arrest one man named Maurice and rescue several women and children.

They were taken to Ong'elo Health Centre, where medics had a torrid time administering treatment to the children.

Villagers narrated that most group members don't bathe and have septic wounds on various parts of their bodies but insist on not going to the hospital.

Most members of the cult are found in Boi and Ogaka villages in the vast Asembo Kokise.

Rescued victims refuse to take medicine

Josephine Atieno, a mother of two rescued from the church, has insisted against taking medicine.

Atieno said she had given her children enough dosage (prayers), and she was seeing an improvement despite them being ravaged by scabies.

"As far as it concerns my children, I have given my children enough dosage, and they are already getting better," she said.

Elizabeth Awino, mother to the later Winnie, maintained she doesn't take medicine, adding that whenever she falls ill, she seeks divine intervention.

David Ochieng, a reformed member of the church, asked the government to prosecute his wife, adding that he had been critical of the church's activities.

Rise of cults and occults in Kenya

This year, cultic activities in which people die secretly were discovered by authorities.

To hit the headlines locally and beyond borders was the happenings in Shakahola forest in Kilifi county.

Shallow graves bearing tens of human bodies were discovered, with Pastor Paul Mackenzie, a controversial preacher heading the Good News International church, being pointed to as the mastermind.

Mackenzie was accused of brainwashing his faithful, who he counselled to fast with the object of meeting God. Many died of starvation while heeding his call for the deadly fast.

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Siaya Girl Dies after Family Believing in Cultic Teachings Denies Her Treatment, Several Rescued