Senate leads effort to rescue 8 patients detained in Kisumu church

Eight people with various illnesses were yesterday rescued in a church in Kisumu county after a Senate ad hoc committee investigating the proliferation of religious organisations visited the county.

They were allegedly being held for healing prayers at the Holy Ghost Coptic Church.
This comes as the government moved to tighten the noose on churches believed to be promoting controversial practices.

Led by the committee’s vice chairperson Shakila Mohamed, the senators pitched tent at the church to investigate claims that patients were being held at the facility against their will.

A contingent of armed security officials found eight patients confined in some of the rooms in the church compound and rescued them.
Detained sick people

Senator Mohammed said they decided to raid Fr Pesa’s (pictured) church after getting information that a number of sick people are detained within the church premises.

“We are leaving our officers to conduct a thorough search within the church to ensure they check all the corners and rooms in a bid to save other sick people that might have been left,” she said.

According to the nominated senator, the patients had been locked in dark rooms and had also been chained on their legs. “These people are living like animals.

They are telling us that they only survive on one meal a day and in the same room, they have a bucket that acts as a toilet that is only being emptied once a week thereby making this look like a small Shakahola,”she said.

Her comments were echoed by Senator Veronica Maina who claimed that they would ensure that religious leaders violating the constitution are brought to book.

She also lauded Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha for supporting and assuring them that affected persons will be treated free of charge. “If you find any situation like this in the country even where the Ad hoc committee is not available, just bring it to the authority for assistance, “she said.

The committee noted that they noticed that majority of Shakahola victims were coming from the Western Region and that is why they decided to visit Kisumu and Vihiga counties.

Those who were rescued were taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.