Detectives are investigating an incident where a 30-year-old
man died at a church facility in the Mukuru slums, Nairobi, as he waited to be
healed by prayers.
Police said Francis Inaweti Muchera had been taken to the
church in the area for prayers on Tuesday when the incident happened.
The man had been sick and was taken there by his wife for
prayers.
The pastor present prayed for the man, and he fell asleep,
never to wake up, police said.
The wife kept waiting for the man to wake up in vain. About
an hour later, the woman went to look for the pastor, who had left the
facility, and informed him the husband was unresponsive.
Police were later informed of the incident and arrived at
the scene, confirming the man had died.
Police said the deceased’s face was swollen. The body was
moved to the mortuary pending autopsy.
The autopsy will inform the way forward in terms of
investigation, police said.
This comes amid calls for regulation on the operations of
some churches linked to occultism.
On Tuesday, the Cabinet approved recommendations from the
Presidential Taskforce on Religious Organisations, a landmark move to safeguard
the integrity of religious practice while curbing exploitation.
The proposed reforms, developed in response to the Shakahola
tragedy, place religious leaders at the centre of accountability efforts,
emphasising self-regulation over state control.
President William Ruto chaired the meeting at State House in
Nairobi.
Key proposals include enacting a legal framework to govern
religious organisations, establishing a Religious Affairs Commission, and
strengthening umbrella faith organisations for coordination.
The model blends institutional autonomy with supportive
oversight and calls for leadership standards, reforms to religious
broadcasting, and civic education to promote tolerance and prevent extremism.
A multi-agency collaboration involving security agencies,
interfaith platforms, and educational institutions will support implementation.
