Authorities in Kilifi County have arrested a 48-year-old pastor and closed down his church in Chakama location of Malindi sub county, over suspected cultic activities.
Led by Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Mutisya Muinde and his Malindi counterpart David Lusava, the County Security Committee held a brief meeting at the New Foundation Church before arresting Pastor Abel Kahindi Gandi and closing the premises.
Pastor Gandi found himself on the wrong side of the law after a woman allegedly died during an overnight prayer session at the church situated about two kilometers from Chakama Trading Centre some time last year.
It is also alleged that the pastor uses weird ways of exorcism, including instructing those purportedly possessed by demons to climb a ‘tree of life’ within the church compound for the demons to be expelled, and selling ‘living water’ to his followers.
“We have come here because of rumours to the effect that in the pastor’s ministry, some faithful have lost their lives while being prayed for. Because people have lost lives and he is the central figure, the matter must be thoroughly investigated,” Muinde told journalists.
Muinde, who represented Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott, claimed the suspect, though a pastor, does not use a Bible, does not baptize his believers, and has no knowledge of burial protocols like most pastors.
“Although the pastor claims to have attended Bible School for one year, he cannot recall when or where. He could also not provide proof that his church is affiliated with the International Fellowship for Christ (IFC), which is under the leadership of Bishop Menza Charo of Bombolulu, Mombasa,” he said.
Muinde said that during the closed-door meeting, the pastor had told the security team that he does not baptize his faithful, nor does he know any burial protocols should any member die.
He did not even know the number of his followers as he does not maintain a register, the DCC added.
Muinde said that because of the strange traditions and the doubt in his preaching credentials, and due to the fact that there are claims of deaths during prayer sessions, the pastor stood arrested until the investigations are concluded.
“Because of these confusing issues, as the county security committee, we concur with the Malindi sub county security committee, that the church should be closed forthwith and the pastor now stands arrested until conclusive investigations are done,” he said.
In response, the pastor defended his practices, asserting they are divinely inspired. He admitted to believing in the “tree of life,” claiming that those who climb it experience spiritual liberation from demonic possession.
However, he dismissed allegations that people have died during his prayer sessions. “One person died here during prayers, but she was brought when I was away in Malindi and I did not have a chance to pray for her. No one has died in my presence,” he told journalists in the presence of the security chiefs.
The pastor also dismissed claims that he does not use a Bible stating:
“I am a pastor and I use the Bible. I did not carry the Bible with me because the summons to come here were urgent and I did not have the Bible, where I was. I use the Bible while preaching,” he said.
Pastor Gandi assured authorities of his cooperation, welcoming investigations into his ministry.
“I am doing what I have been sent to do by the Lord. Since I have nothing to hide, I welcome the government’s move to carry out investigations,” he stated.
The incident has reignited scrutiny of cultic practices in Kilifi County.
Chakama location, the site of the arrest, is also home to Skakahola, an area reputed for the deaths of over 400 people following alleged cultic teachings of Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie.
Mackenzie, who faces multiple court cases, is accused of orchestrating starvation deaths tied to his ministry.
Similarly, investigations are underway into Melkio St. Joseph Mission of Messaiha Africa Church in Migori County, where cases of death during prayer sessions have been reported.
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