Five people died at the Kaptembwa open grounds during a religious crusade convened by preacher David Owour even as the terminally sick and physically disabled people continued streaming to the venue in record numbers.
Nakuru Divisional Police Commander Benard Kioko told theNation that the victims had been brought to the meeting while bedridden by relatives, with some still carrying with them medical notes showing they had been discharged from various hospitals against strong advice by doctors.
“I can confirm they died in the open grounds and they were very sick. We have seen their documents that show some have been in hospital for months,” he said.
He, however, declined to disclose the identities of the victims, citing privacy until the next of kin are formally informed in writing by the police.
Though the lifeless bodies were placed in police vehicles by relatives in the presence of the faithful, the venue witnessed its largest crowd, with thousands flocking there using matatus and private vehicles while others trooped in on foot hoping to receive their miracles.
Dr Owuor, an accomplished scholarly author on genetics, took time to parade his team of doctors, led by an Egerton University lecturer Catherine Wangui, who has worked as a medical doctor for 36 years in public service, rising to the position of deputy director of medical services.
Others were heads of comprehensive care clinics, including Dr Torome Kochei, an HIV specialist and a senior assistant director of medical services with 18 years’ experience, and Dr Zakary Kaseboi, a cancer specialist with 18 years’ experience at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he is also a lecturer.
Dr Owuor said Kenya had witnessed healing and anointing taking place at the open grounds, saying time had come for people to turn to God with honesty and truth so as to get out of the curse that has blocked churches from being houses of healing and God’s goodness.
Earlier, Dr Wangui, who dedicates her life to the ministry and training medical students at Egerton University, told the excited crowd that medical experts were yet unable to explain how various life-threatening ailments vanished from patients on life-prolonging treatment.
She described Dr Owour’s ability as “awesome, historic, stunning, unbelievable and breaking news to the medical profession".
Dr Kochei, for his part, claimed that while he had helplessly watched patients die under his care from 2003 to 2010, when Dr Owuor came to the scene, many were healed.
He further claimed that he has since confirmed the miraculous cure of about 100 cases, which made him believe in God’s ability to heal ailments that medical experts have been unable to cure.
“We stand here as medical experts to tell you God heals and that the Man of God (Dr Owuor) brings true eternal healing to patients.
“Our work is to confirm first, as we cannot afford to make a mistake on diagnosis, and thorough laboratory testing before putting a patient on lifelong drug therapy,” said Dr Wangui.
