A pastor in Kilifi County has been arrested following reports that several of his church followers died under unclear circumstances after participating in bizarre tree-climbing rituals. The controversial spiritual leader, based in Chakama, Magarini Constituency, had been running a ministry known as the New Foundation Church.
The man at the center of the controversy, Abel Kahindi Gandi, allegedly led his congregation through rituals involving what he referred to as the “Tree of Life.” Followers were instructed to climb the tree as a way of receiving divine intervention. According to the teachings espoused by the pastor, descending the tree signified spiritual cleansing and deliverance from life’s problems, including illnesses and poverty.
However, multiple deaths have been reported among members who took part in the ritual. Authorities launched an investigation after receiving numerous complaints from concerned relatives and community members who questioned the safety and legitimacy of the practice. The resulting probe led to the arrest of the pastor, who is now in custody at Malindi Police Station.
Despite the arrest, the pastor maintains his innocence. He insists that the rituals performed are divinely inspired and have brought peace to those who participate. He denies any connection to the deaths and claims that the Tree of Life is a sacred tool in spiritual warfare. According to his explanation, the tree serves as a portal for evil spirits to be expelled from afflicted individuals.
“These allegations are false. I have not killed anyone. I do the work as God has instructed me. That tree is the Tree of Life. The people who come here are possessed by evil spirits. When they climb the tree, the spirits leave them,” said the pastor, defending his practices.
What has alarmed authorities further is that the pastor operates without a Bible and has constructed his church in a remote section of the Chakama forest. The secluded location has made it difficult for the general public to access the area or to scrutinize the teachings and activities of the group. Some followers, it is reported, exhibit trance-like behavior and appear to be under a form of spiritual or psychological influence.
Following his arrest, local security officials have shut down the church indefinitely as investigations continue. The closure was ordered after it was revealed that the pastor’s ministry deviated significantly from mainstream religious practices. Officials described the worshippers as highly devoted, yet misled, with some living in fear of spiritual retaliation if they ever disobeyed the preacher.
Authorities are now seeking to determine the cause of the deaths reported among the church members and to assess whether criminal negligence or other forms of abuse were involved. The case has also raised concerns about the rise of unregulated religious movements in rural Kenya, particularly those that operate under a veil of secrecy and engage in unconventional practices.
Community members and local leaders have expressed shock and confusion over the incident, calling for tighter oversight of religious groups. Many are urging the government to ensure that faith-based institutions are registered and held accountable to basic legal and ethical standards.
As the investigation continues, the fate of the pastor and the future of his controversial church hang in the balance. The case has opened up a broader conversation about religious extremism, mental health, and the vulnerability of followers in the face of spiritual manipulation.
