By Harold Orambo, Servant Leadership student at ASLEAD Institute
Recently, disturbing developments from Kilifi County have reignited fears that the horror of the
Shakahola tragedy may not be over. Almost two years since the horrifying discovery of mass graves in
Shakahola forest, there are renewed cases of cult-practices after authorities recovered one body and
rescued four emaciated individuals, just a few kilometers from the original Shakahola site.
Even more unsettling is that, among those arrested, are a husband and wife who are former victims of
the Shakahola cult, who were rescued in the 2023 incident but vanished from their home in Siaya
County and returned to the forest (Citizen TV, 22nd July 2025: 9pm news)
Further away, Jim Jones orchestrated the largest intentional loss of American civilian life before the
September 11 attacks. Jim Jones; leader of the Peoples Temple, caused the ‘’Jonestown Massacre’’ —
one of the most tragic mass suicides in modern history. On November 18, 1978 under his command,
over 900 people died — most by drinking a cyanide-laced drink. This included over 300 children.
You may be asking, ‘’what does this have to do with me?’’
Hebrews 10:25 “… not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but
encouraging one another…” We are instructed to keep gathering together in worship of the one and
only true God. However, the emergence of cultic activities such as these mass suicides can justifiably
lead to more regulation of churches, religious organizations and clamp down on the freedom of worship.
It can become illegal to gather and worship the true God.
We need to shun cults. But it is not enough to merely shun cults, we must also call them out for what
they are.
Cults revolve around a personality and so; to be able to shun these cults, we need to be able to ask
ourselves: ‘’are we above reproach ourselves?’’ ‘’are we embracing mindsets and habits that will cause
our followers to be drawn to our personalities rather than to Christ?’’ ‘’does each and everything that
we do have a sound biblical grounding?’’ ‘’do I behave like a cult leader without knowing it?’’ ‘’how will I
know a cultic leader from one who is true to the gospel of Christ?’’
There is a high chance that the faithful in these unfortunate incidences followed these leaders blindly
unto their own deaths because they assessed them purely from the lens of charisma and threw the need
for integrity through the window …with fatal consequences.
Jesus said that we will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16 ‘’You will know them by their fruits. Do
men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?’’ This poses a critical question: Can we
recognize a ‘’leader’’ who may take his/her followers to such devastating ends? Do we take every leader
at face value? Does the leader embody / exemplify what is true?
A closer look at what these cult leaders held dear (values), their beliefs, attitudes, exemplifying what
they preached, teamwork, accountability structures, track record and checks-and-balances could have
avoided the unnecessary deaths.
As believers in Christ, we are expected to participate in selecting leaders and use biblical criteria in doing the selections:
- Is the aspiring leader driven by a desire to serve? Matthew 20: 26-28 ‘’…whoever desires to
become great among you, let him be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve…” - What is his/her track record? Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be
trusted with much… and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” - Does he/she appreciate authority, accountability and team-working structures? How does
he/she respond to constructive feedback? 1 Timothy 3:2-5 ‘Therefore an overseer must be
above reproach…sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable…. not quarrelsome….’’
Standing for the truth in public is preceded by standing by the truth in our private lives.
America’s Bill Clinton’s presidency was a paradox of success and personal scandal. He delivered
economic growth, reduced deficits, and left office with high approval ratings (over 70%). However, the Monica Lewinsky affair and impeachment proceedings cast a lasting shadow over his legacy. The
scandals deeply influenced future political discourse, media coverage of politicians, and public attitudes toward private morality in public leadership.
Cults are often rooted in manipulation, falsehoods, and distortion of truth. Speaking against them
means choosing truthfulness; a core pillar of integrity.
Many cults prey on the emotionally, mentally, or spiritually vulnerable. Integrity demands that we stand up for those who can’t defend themselves. Proverbs 31:8 ‘’Speak up for those who cannot speak for
themselves…”
Exposing spiritual, psychological, or physical abuse within cults requires boldness. True integrity involves moral courage, especially when it might cost relationships, status, or safety. Ephesians 5:11 ‘’Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Cults often glorify a single, authoritarian leader. Speaking out promotes accountable, ethical
leadership—an integrity-based model aligned with biblical values. Proverbs 29:7 ‘’the righteous care
about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
True integrity in the faith involves protecting sound doctrine and liberty in Christ — both of which are destroyed or distorted by cults. 1 Timothy 4:16 ‘’Watch your life and doctrine closely… Persevere in them.” Remaining silent in the face of harm is a form of complicity. Integrity involves choosing responsibility over silence, even when others look away. James 4:17 ‘’If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
Cults often suppress questions, doubts, and independent thought. Integrity fosters open dialogue,
education, and accountability.
We therefore must endeavor to educate others on the hallmarks of cults and cultic leaders knowing that Christ is making His appeal to the world through each believer. Hosea 4:6 KJV. ‘’My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge….’’
Integrity is about doing what is right, standing for truth, and protecting others—even when it is
unpopular or risky. Will you be counted among those who speak the truth of the gospel boldly?
