Kiambu police shut down religious group over suspicious activities

Police in Kiambu County on Friday closed down all operations of Mihiriga Kenda religious group on grounds of operating without proper registration, as well as suspicions of practicing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Speaking after raiding the sects headquarters at Gathangari village, Githunguri Deputy County Commissioner David Juma said the government has established that the sect was operating contrary to the laid down procedures of public worship, adding that its activities were boarding on criminal.

He said the police and the security machinery were acting on public outcry, particularly following a recent incident where a man suspected to be a member of the sect killed himself and his mother on matters related to the religious group.

The police boss said the sect will henceforth not be allowed to operate until the government is satisfied that their operations are acceptable to the general public and do not breach the law.

However, the sect’s leader Harun Kiambuthi wa Macharia insisted that operations of the group have never broken any laws and were operating like any other religious organization.