57 Individuals Rescued from Rongo Church as Police Halt Healing Services
Rongo, Migori County
In a dramatic intervention, security forces in Rongo sub-county have rescued 57 ailing individuals who had sought spiritual healing at the Melkio Joseph Mission Messiah Church, following alarming reports of deaths within the premises.
The raid was conducted on Monday night under the command of Rongo Deputy County Commissioner George Matundura. The move comes after two individuals died while in the church’s care within the past week, triggering concerns over the safety and legality of the practices carried out within the religious establishment.
According to Matundura, the operation was not only aimed at rescuing the sick but also at initiating legal proceedings against the church’s management. “We had to act fast. Two lives have already been lost under circumstances that cannot be ignored,” he stated.
Healing or Harm? Church Now Under Police Surveillance
The Melkio Joseph Mission Messiah Church, long known for its unconventional healing claims, has now been placed under strict surveillance by police officers as investigations unfold. Local authorities have temporarily suspended all prayer activities at the premises, citing public safety concerns.
The situation escalated further just hours before the police operation, when a distraught family from Nyamira stormed the church demanding the body of a deceased relative. According to the family, the church, in collaboration with the deceased’s daughter Jacita Achieng — a long-time member of the congregation — intended to bury the man within church grounds.
Achieng claimed her father had expressed in his will a desire to be buried at the church, a position strongly contested by the rest of the family. This familial dispute added urgency to the authorities’ response and intensified scrutiny of the church's practices.
Authorities Launch Legal and Health Investigations
Authorities have launched further investigations into the church's operations, seeking to determine whether its healing activities violated health regulations or criminal statutes.
“We’re looking into whether the sick were denied medical attention in favor of spiritual rituals, which would be a gross violation of the law,” a source from the local health department noted.
The 57 rescued individuals have since been handed over to local medical facilities for evaluation and care. Their condition and stories are expected to shed more light on the extent of the church’s influence and the circumstances that led them to seek healing there.
As pressure mounts, residents and local leaders are calling for a broader probe into religious institutions operating in the area, urging government agencies to enforce regulatory oversight to protect vulnerable citizens from exploitation or neglect.
The Broader Implication of the Rongo Church Incident
This incident has reignited national conversations around rogue religious establishments and their unchecked influence over desperate followers. With the 2025 general political environment already tense, some analysts suggest the case may prompt legislative changes aimed at regulating spiritual healing practices.
As legal proceedings loom, all eyes remain on Migori County — not just for justice in this case, but for potential reforms that may ripple through Kenya’s broader religious and health governance structures.
