The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched investigations into a case where a self-styled ‘spiritual mother’ – Hellen Wanjiru Weri – was arrested after 31 people were found holed up inside her house in Njoro, Nakuru County.
Njoro sub-county Deputy County Commander, David Mbevi, confirmed the raid, adding that police were enforcing a directive issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki.
“We found 31 people, 17 children and 14 adults. They had been in the homestead for 4 days.
“However, they were not fasting. They had a lot of food as we found a lot of ugali and sukuma wiki.
“One mother had looked for work for her daughter, a nurse, only for her to reject the job offer to stay at the home of the ‘spiritual mother’,” he stated.
Additionally, he noted that most of the victims rescued were women.
“Most of those we found were women. The DCI and county command are continuing with investigations.
“The people there have already recorded statements with the police,” he noted.
Furthermore, he stated that the police were investigating the operations of the spiritual leader, 62, and her doctrine, if available.
The raid came after police arrested controversial and cultic coast pastors, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge and Ezekiel Odero.
Paul Mackezie was accused of aiding individuals to kill themselves in the Shakahola massacre. Over 100 bodies were unearthed in Shakahola Forest, with reports indicating that the deceased fasted to death, while some were killed.
On April 28, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared that the government would crack down on all rogue preachers of all religions, misleading their followers.
“I want to tell them, it doesn’t matter whom you know, here in Kenya, out there in the world or even in the spiritual realm. We don’t care who you know, we will come for you. You are a murderer. We will come for you heavy and hard,” Kindiki stated.
