Worldwide Church of God, Shakahola Massacre, Church of Almighty God
"In this personal op-ed, actor and podcast host LaNisa Renee Frederick unpacks her childhood in the Worldwide Church of God, how racism shaped its theology, and the healing that came from naming the shame out loud.
Growing up in the '80s and '90s as a Black girl in the Midwest, I knew early on that my church was different—maybe even "weird"—compared to my peers'. But it wasn't until years later that I connected my experiences to the word cult, which sent me on a journey to unpack the shame and embarrassment I didn't even realize I was carrying.
Like many Black households, the church was a cornerstone of my upbringing. However, most of my school friends were Baptist, AME, or Pentecostal. I didn't really understand what we were, but I knew we were Sabbath keepers. From Friday sundown to Saturday sundown: no work, no parties, no Saturday morning cartoons. (Though my siblings and I did manage to sneak in episodes of He-Man and She-Ra.)
I remember being six and pulled from the class Halloween party because I wasn't allowed to participate. Heartbroken, I sat alone watching my classmates gobble down candy corn and M&M's, wondering what was so sinful about dressing up like Barbie.
And while other kids settled into the school year each fall, I was collecting homework assignments ahead of our annual two-week spiritual pilgrimage out of state. Sure, it was a little unorthodox. But I didn't start questioning the church's doctrines and ideologies until college. I was taking an intro to theology course and decided to use this new thing called Google to look up my old church. What I found shook me: article after article labeling it a cult.
That couldn't be right. I had fun in church! We went roller skating and had potlucks that even brought my non-member mom into the fold. Plus, we're Black. We don't do cults. Outside of "those Jonestown people," cults were something that happened to white folks in documentaries. Sure, we might deal with "church hurt," but cults? Nah. Not us.
Still, I kept digging—reading, researching, and talking to former members. At first, I defined a cult by what I could see. Then I began to understand, through experts, that cults aren't about optics. You don't have to live in Waco, wear matching Nikes, or drink the Kool-Aid to be under control. Fear-based obedience, punishment for questioning authority, strict hierarchies, and man-made rules disguised as biblical truths? That's culty too.
That's when I finally said out loud: 'Oh shit. We were in a cult.'"
Citizen Digital: Fresh fears of cult activity emerge in Kilifi, nearly two years after Shakahola Massacre
"Nearly two years after the gruesome discovery of mass graves in Shakahola Forest shocked the nation and the world, chilling new developments out of Kilifi County are stoking fears that the horrors of 2023 may not be behind us.HemeroSectas: Three months in a Chinese WhatsApp sect (Google Translation)
Authorities have recovered one body and rescued four severely emaciated individuals just kilometres from the original Shakahola site—raising alarming questions about the possible resurgence of cult-like activity in the region.
Even more disturbing is the revelation that among those arrested is a husband and wife, former victims of the Shakahola cult, who had previously been rescued during the 2023 operation but disappeared again earlier this year.
The couple, originally from Nyadorera in Siaya County, allegedly fled their home in March with six children—aged between 1 and 15 years—before resurfacing in Kilifi under circumstances now under active investigation.
A brother of the male suspect, whose identity has been concealed for safety, confirmed that the family had once been reintegrated into the community but mysteriously vanished months ago.
"Alitoka huko nyumbani na familia yake wakaenda Shakahola mara ya kwanza… wakati watu walikuwa wanatolewa, tuliweza kuwaokoa wakaenda nyumbani," he said. "Tulijua atareform akiwa nyumbani… lakini amerudi tena."
The whereabouts of the six children remain unknown. "Nimewaishi na hao watoto," the brother added. "Nimefuata kujua wako hali gani lakini sijawaona. Sasa nimeachia serikali ifanye uchunguzi."
Human rights advocates and local authorities fear the emergence of what they are calling a possible "Shakahola Two." Rapid Response Officer Mathias Shipeta expressed grave concern, saying one of the couple's children had been among those held during the initial Shakahola raid and placed in a rescue facility. "As we speak, we are concerned that Shakahola 2 inaweza kuwa imeanza," Shipeta warned. "We are calling upon the police to investigate the matter and ensure we do not have casualties or deaths as in Shakahola 1."
Ongoing investigations suggest that remnants of the original Shakahola network may still be active, quietly regrouping and continuing indoctrination efforts despite government crackdowns and nationwide condemnation.
"We have been told that some of those previously charged and detained at Shimo la Tewa are regrouping and conducting teachings to continue radicalizing Kenyans," Shipeta said.
The victim's brother echoed the growing alarm: "Naomba serikali hii mambo ya Shakahola ikapate kuisha kabisa… isiendelee tena. Inaonekana bado watu wanaendelea kuregroup huko msituni."
The original Shakahola tragedy, believed to have been orchestrated by controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, claimed over 400 lives and triggered widespread calls for reform of religious and cult-related laws in Kenya."
" ... This is a neo-Christian group founded in China in 1991. It preaches that Jesus has returned in the form of a Chinese woman named Yang Xiangbin, supposedly living in New York, although none of this is explained in the recruitment groups. They have been harshly persecuted by the communist regime, but are also accused of coercing and isolating believers. In the West, they are spreading rapidly through social media. This demonstrates their productive potential in the artistic field: their powerful website features numerous films (all about stories of Chinese neo-Christians persecuted by the regime), dance choirs, testimonies, sermon series, and highly developed music videos. It's clear that this is a growing religion and one that has financial resources.
Their base in Spain is a house in an industrial park in Fuenlabrada. From there, they coordinate their virtual groups. I had joined out of curiosity and went with the flow. Now I was a step up, had a house in Madrid, a potential love proposal to respond to, and was scheduled for the first physical meeting."
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