Families struggle to find missing kin from Rongo church

Families with missing loved ones who are believed to have joined the controversial St. Joseph Missions of Messiah in Africa Church, located in Migori, were left distraught on Wednesday as efforts to locate them continued with little success.

Despite several arrests made by police during a raid on the church compound, many relatives say they are still unable to account for their missing family members.

Meanwhile, The Standard managed to gain rare access to the church premises, which have since been cordoned off and declared off-limits.

Prior to the police operation on Sunday, the church had been shrouded in secrecy, with access restricted to a select few.

At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a line of flags said to symbolize figures such as Simeo Ondetto, Mama Maria, and several saints associated with the church’s origins.

At the heart of the compound stands a prominently displayed cross, enclosed and richly adorned.

The church grounds also double as a residential area for its members. In contrast to traditional Christian practices, followers of this sect do not leave after worship services—they reside within the compound on a permanent basis.

Lawyer Bernard Acholla noted that the church has been in existence since the 1970s.

"For some of its members, it’s the only way of life they’ve ever experienced," he told the Standard.

The followers lead a communal lifestyle within the church premises, engaging in activities like cooking, farming vegetables, and keeping livestock.

Several cows were seen grazing within the compound.

The church also serves as a burial site for its members, which has raised suspicions about possible undisclosed burials.

Just two weeks ago, the burial of a GSU officer, believed to have been affiliated with the church, under mysterious circumstances, sparked public concern and led to police involvement.

The leader of the church, who goes by the name Halleluhya, has dismissed allegations of controversial doctrines or secretive operations.

"We abide by both divine and national laws," she asserted.

"We never conduct burials without notifying the families involved. We always secure burial permits and report every death to the area assistant chief," she added.

Within the compound are several shrines where members conduct their worship.

One notable structure contains three distinct rooms, each equipped with an altar.

The first room displays an image of Simeo Ondetto, the second is dedicated to Mother Linta Matakatifu, and the third honors one of the founders’ sons, who passed away several years ago.

Each of the shrine rooms is adorned with candles, crosses, and saintly images, each distinguished by unique colors.

Before entering, worshippers are required to remove their shoes—an expression of reverence tied to their belief that God resides among them.

Throughout the compound, images of Simeo Ondetto and Mama Maria are prominently displayed, while depictions of Jesus and other saints are placed beneath the altars.

The incident on April 21, during which police rescued 57 individuals and discovered two bodies within the premises, prompted a rush of families to Rongo Police Station in a desperate bid to locate loved ones they hadn’t seen in years.

Among them was John Okello, a resident of Rongo town.

He recounted how his ex-wife, who joined the church in 2010, had firmly declared her intention to move into the compound and live there permanently.

"My wife just woke up one morning and announced she was going to live in that church," Okello recalled. "I tried to stop her, but she went ahead and filed for divorce, taking two of our children with her."

He explained that he couldn’t bring himself to worship in a place where children were being born but not taken to hospital for care.

His concerns deepened when his eldest daughter, after completing secondary school, also joined her mother at the church.

Okello later discovered, to his shock, that she had died in her early twenties and had been buried within the church compound.

Similarly, Isaac Nyachieo, whose 52-year-old brother Elly Odoyo died while living at the church, expressed hope of reuniting with his late brother’s children.

"All we want is to bring the children back home," Nyachieo said. "They have everything they need waiting for them there—including their father’s land."