Residents of Ngurunga village in Ithanga Gathanga in Murang’a wants the closure of church that does not allow them to go to hospital when they fall sick.
The residents claimed a lot of people have died and called upon the government to take action. This was sparked by the death of a 30 year-old woman while giving birth at her home.
According to reports, Stella Njeri developed birth complications which prompted one of the neighbors to call health officers to rush her to Maragua Hospital
On reaching there, her husband declined to have her undergo cesarean section delivery as advised by the doctor. A health officer identified as Ceciliah Mahinde said that Njeri’s husband appended a signature on the hospital records that he won’t allow his wife to be admitted in the hospital.
The officer said that she took her time to convince them to go to the hospital for safe delivery but on reaching there, they refused to be attended by the doctor. Reportedly, Njeri died a few hours after arriving home from the hospital.
The residents irked by this threatened to set ablaze their home claiming that it is not the first incident. Mary Wambui one of the residents said six people have died under the same circumstance for refusing to go to the hospital.
She added that the church called ‘Kigoocho’ has strict doctrines that prevents its members from seeking medical help. She said when the members are sick, they are advised to stay indoors as church leaders pray for them.
She further revealed that the founding bishop of the church alongside his wife and four children died for failing to seek medical attention.
Another neighbor John Waithaka called upon the government to take action against the church leaders saying that they take advantage of the vulnerability of the people to brainwash them.
County Executive officer for health Joseph Mbai said it is unacceptable for people to die in their homes instead of seeking treatment. He said he shall present a petition to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and the Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to take action against such churches.
