DNK International By Our Correspondent,Shakahola.
A 31 year old woman has been arrested in Shakahola, Kilifi County, after villagers reportedly spotted her undertaking a prolonged fast at Shakahola farmlands near River Galana.
According to a police report filed at Langobaya Police Station, the woman, identified as Esther Njeri, a resident of Thika, Kiambu County, had been fasting for three days when she was located about 38 kilometres from the police station.
She was escorted to Langobaya Police Station by the area assistant chief, peace committee chairman, police officers from Shakahola Operations and village elders.
During questioning, Njeri reportedly said she had travelled from Kiambu to Lamu, then to Baolala before proceeding to Shakahola, saying she was fasting following what she described as a religious call.
Police said she denied any association with cult leader Paul Mackenzie or his teachings.
A search of her belongings reportedly recovered a black touchscreen mobile phone, a leso, a black bag containing two half filled water bottles allegedly containing acid, six matchboxes and beach stones.
She reportedly told investigators that she had been carrying the items during the fasting period.
Njeri remains in police custody as the DCI Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), Malindi Detachment, conducts further interviews and investigations.
The arrest comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of religious activities involving prolonged fasting in the Shakahola area following the deaths of hundreds of people linked to the teachings of Mackenzie.
[Daily News Kenya-International@September 28,2026]
