This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On August 28, 2019, seven individuals believed to be members of a sect in Tharaka Nithi County were arrested by police for refusing to provide information to census enumerators.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the group was taken into custody after they declined to participate in the census, citing concerns that the process was 'satanic' and that they would only be counted in heaven.
“Seven people suspected to be members of Kabonokia Sect were last night arrested at Gatue, #TharakaNithi for refusing to give info to authorised persons collecting statistical information. The members refused to be enumerated claiming the process is satanic and that they’ll be counted in heaven,” DCI tweeted.
Additionally, a woman was arrested in Juja, Kiambu County, on Sunday for obstructing census officials and providing false information. Nelly Kinja, the woman in question, claimed to be the landlady of her residence and stated that she would not be enumerated due to alleged overburdening by the government through land rate payments.
