On Monday, November 3, 2025, police in Mombasa successfully rescued 27 individuals from a suspected religious extremist group, reminiscent of the Shakahola massacre that revealed the horrific murders of women and children in 2024.
Mombasa Police Commandant Patrick Gogo reported that the group consisted of 20 children and seven women, who were found confined within the premises of the Zion Fire Anointing Ministries Church in Changamwe. They were believed to be involved in potential cultic activities and worship.
Gogo explained that the police conducted the raid based on a tip-off received from a woman who, along with her children, had managed to escape from the church and inform the authorities on Friday, October 31, 2025.
“We were concerned about their condition. He said, “Mothers and their kids were lying on the floor with only sheets covering their bodies from the cold.”. Law enforcement has started looking for the church owner, according to InvestigationsGogo. As more details about the incident become available, the public will be informed. There is a good chance that some of the children, who range in age from two to fifteen, ought to be in school. After questioning those under our custody, we hope to obtain the full picture of what was happening,” he continued.
The startling disclosures arise as the leaders intensified their defense of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, describing it as essential for safeguarding Kenyan families and averting a recurrence of tragedies similar to Shakahola.
During a service at St. Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava Town, Kakamega County, on Sunday, October 26, 2025, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah remarked that the legislation will play a crucial role in tackling the escalating crimes and extremist actions perpetrated by religious organizations.
“Among the eight bills that the president signed last week, one is the bill concerning the misuse of computers and social media. One of the objectives of this law is to protect the church from false religions or cultic behavior and religious extremism. The second and very important objective is to safeguard our families from the immoral aspects of sexuality and sexual displays on the internet. Pornography.”
