Residents of the Chaani area in Mombasa are reeling from a bizarre incident involving a suspected religious cult. Police are currently holding four people following reports of the group walking naked through the streets while praying.
The suspects include three women, one man, and a child. Witnesses described a scene of total confusion on the night of the incident. Some onlookers were so startled they could not focus on their work.
One local witness recounted the shock of seeing the group.
"The things I saw yesterday, I saw like devils have appeared here suddenly," he said. He added that the crowd was so large he even lost money during the chaos. "I even looked at them and thought I had died; which country am I in?"
Night of Confusion
The group was reportedly seen at night near the Chaani Kona area. They were not just walking; they were also performing rituals on the ground. They raised their hands to the sky while speaking in languages that locals could not understand.
"They were lying down, raising their hands, speaking things that could not be understood."
A Pattern of Prayer
Locals say the group belongs to a specific church in the neighbourhood. While the public display was new, their intense prayer sessions at home were well known. They were often heard praying for up to 10 hours at a time.
"These women, we hear them every day doing prayers," another resident noted. "Even sometimes they pray for nearly 10 hours, from morning until evening."
There are also claims that the members have been seen naked on their balconies before. This has led many in the community to fear the group is part of a "cult" or "misleading religion." One resident remarked, "I see it is like a cult because you hear them preaching there."
Police Investigation
Police have confirmed the arrest of the four individuals. They are now investigating whether the group is involved in a dangerous religious movement. Before being taken to court, the suspects will undergo mental health assessments to determine their state of mind.
Community members are now calling for stricter rules for landlords. They want those who rent out houses to vet their tenants more carefully.
"It is a mistake for the landlord to remain silent all this time without telling us," a local resident argued.
"We ask those who rent houses to people to know what kind of people they are and what they do."
This incident in Mombasa comes at a time of heightened sensitivity toward unconventional religious groups in Kenya. Following the 2023 Shakahola Forest tragedy, where hundreds of followers of a self-proclaimed pastor died, the Kenyan government has increased its surveillance of "cult-like" activities.
Public displays of extreme rituals often trigger immediate police intervention and community alarm due to fears of radicalisation or harm.
