Nakuru: 9 children die as Kanitha wa Ngai sect members shun hospitals

The burial of a 14-year-old boy at Nakuru South Cemetery turned into chaos after relatives and residents of Kwa Wanyama village in Pipeline, Nakuru county stormed the ceremony demanding an explanation following the death of eight other children in the family.

The irate neighbours told of how, despite the deceased deteriorating health condition, the parents of the deceased refused to seek medical attention and instead opted for prayers which they suspect may have led to his death.

They are now demanding that the government forcefully takes the four remaining children from the couple who have lost seven children in a span on 7 years.

It is alleged the family moved to the area having relocated from Nakuru town after two of their children died. All the children are suspected to have died from tuberculosis.

According to residents, the couple are staunch members of Kanitha wa Ngai sect, which allegedly does not believe in conventional medicine.

Anthony Thiong’o, a neighbour, told Citizen Digital how the said family has been locking children in the house when they fall sick and praying for them for healing.

“The family does not take children to hospital because of the beliefs of a church they pray from. This is the seventh child they have lost” said Thiongo.

The group also demanded an explanation on how the area chief approved the burial permit for the teen adding that burial had been kept a secret from family and neighbors in the area.

The father of the deceased, who was present at the funeral became violent when approached for questioning, saying that he loved his son and his demise was God’s plan.