Why women are at risk of rogue religious groups

Some of the bodies exhumed from Shakahola Forest following a suspected religious cult.  [File, Standard]

Women are the most susceptible group to join religious organisations, new research from the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) shows.

The report adds that, after conversion,  women—often in their roles as wives and mothers—play a pivotal role in influencing their families to join these groups, some of which propagate misleading theology.

While analysing the composition of religious groups across the country, the study indicates that vulnerability, rather than gender, is the primary factor driving membership growth.

“Women emerged as leading in the group member composition,” the report states.

Women facing social or economic hardships are often believed to seek comfort in religious groups that promise them hope and support.

Some of these groups, as the NCRC research reveals, use door-to-door recruitment methods and rely on family connections. They offer spiritual fulfilment to those who feel unfulfilled within mainstream religious groups and, upon successfully attracting new members, work to convert their families as well.

These groups often draw members by addressing local issues and capitalising on the vulnerability of people through false promises.

The allure of faith, the promise of prosperity, and charismatic leaders are frequently cited as factors drawing members into these organisations.

Another technique some groups use to attract followers is by preaching end-time messages. According to the report, some preachers exploit their followers’ lack of knowledge to manipulate and indoctrinate them.

“These individuals come to firmly believe that these are the last days, and that conventional human activities are meaningless and should not engage in them,” it states.

Marginalisation by the national government has also contributed to pushing individuals towards these groups, as people who feel neglected seek a sense of belonging and community support.

In some cases, members are drawn to groups that align with their culture, providing them with a sense of identity.

However, the report also highlights instances where leaders exploit these cultural ties, preying on their followers by using superstition and fear.

Lack of accountability

The absence of accountability within some organisations has led to centralised, authoritarian leadership. Questioning these leaders is often viewed as rebellion, as they are granted near-absolute power.

“This creates an environment where dissent is discouraged and the leader is revered almost as a supreme being,” the report reads.

Many of these groups have faced scrutiny for failing to join regulatory bodies or umbrella organisations.

“This is presumably to avoid accountability and scrutiny. This reluctance is believed to stem from a desire to continue unconventional, potentially harmful practices and radical, adulterated teachings without external interference.”

The report identifies reasons people give for leaving such groups, including interfaith marriages, relocation, internal conflicts, health issues, and cases of abuse.

However, those seeking to leave often face the threat of punishment and personal consequences.

Discomfort with practices within these groups, poor living conditions on group premises, and sacrificial offerings, as well as the formation of splinter groups, have also contributed to member departures.

“Doctrinal disagreements, harsh conditions, and fear of retribution become pivotal forces cited by respondents as shaping the decision to leave.”

Those who leave often struggle to move on and sometimes feel a strong emotional pull to return.

The report highlights the importance of community policing, village elders, and local leaders in helping people leave some of these groups.

It calls for a multi-sectoral approach to addressing the issue and recommends religious education to equip Kenyans with accurate information about their faith.

“Overall, the findings point to a need for a comprehensive approach involving all stakeholders to address the concerns and crimes committed in the guise of religion in Kenya.”

The report also reveals that some groups have exploited members and, in certain cases, been associated with violence and murder.

Some Kenyans, it states, have been denied access to healthcare and education for their children, forced to worship in secret, or restricted from participating in civic activities. Others have been isolated from family members, coerced, and oppressed.

Some groups have reportedly engaged in torture, isolated members from other faiths, and committed financial malpractice by prioritising donations while neglecting other teachings.