•This is as the number of people who died in Shakahola, Kilifi County, rose to 113.
• Rev Musyimi described the Shakahola deaths as a tragedy, adding that there could be more cults that are yet to be discovered.
Crooked religious leaders have been put on notice as a commission to look into Kenya’s religion’s regulatory framework was sworn in.
Headed by former Gachoka MP and former National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary-General Mutava Musyimi, the 14-member task force took oath in a ceremony presided over by High Court Principal Judge Eric Ogola on Tuesday.
He presided over the swearing-in on behalf of Chief Justice Martha Koome.
President William Ruto appointed the commission on May 5, 2023, to tighten religious institutions' laws.
Bishop Mark Kariuki, Bishop (Dr) Eli Rop, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Judy Thongori, Rev (Dr) Alphonse Kanga, Bishop Philip Kitoto and Dr Faridun Abdalla are members of the commission.
They will be joined by Prof Musili Wambua, Joseph Khalende Wabwire, Mary Awuor Kitegi, Charles Kanjama, Leah Kasera, Nancy Murega and Wilson Wanyanga.
Martin Ndiwa Talian and Maria Goretti Nyariki will serve as the task force's joint secretaries.
The task force has been mandated to identify gaps in the legal, institutional and governance systems that have allowed cults and extremist groups to operate, and make proposals on how the public can report such cases.
The team will also come up with proposals on standards and minimum certification requirements for all religious organisations and their leaders to they registered and allowed to operate.
Speaking on Tuesday, Rev Musyimi described the Shakahola deaths as a tragedy, adding that there could be more cults that are yet to be discovered.
“The fact that we are here today must underline the gravity of this issue. I know that the people of Kenya are looking to us to deliver and we cannot let them down,” he said.
This is as the number of people who died in Shakahola, Kilifi County, rose to 113. The bodies were subjected to post-mortem examination while another 21 graves with an unknown number of bodies were identified.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge of the Good News International Church is said to have instructed members to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus".
By Monday, 65 people had been rescued in various parts of the expansive ranch while another 25 had been arrested and were assisting police with investigations.